Smakici Challenges Tyson “Sausage” Fury

Tyson Fury has not boxed since 2024, but after coming out of retirement he is expected to fight Oleksandr Usyk or Fabio Wardley this year.

Agron Smakici, former sparring partner of Fury’s, has thrown his hat into the ring. “Everything is possible,” said Smakici.

Smakici was sparring with Fury when the latter sustained a cut that meant his first fight with Usyk was postponed. The Croatian described it as “the biggest drama”, but told Sky Sports that he would like to fight the former unified world champion.

Usyk, who may face Fury in April, has said he wants to fight Deontay Wilder. Wilder had a similarly short-lived break from boxing before returning in June. A date for their fight is yet to be announced, but Usyk is considered clear favorite with two bookmakers pricing him at 1.07. Fans can track the price movements for upcoming fights – as well for matches in sports like football, basketball, and soccer – using the Kalshi API.

Fury’s comeback

Following headline fights at Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, then losing the undisputed championship fight to Usyk, Fury announced his retirement in early 2025.

He announced his return by saying there’s no better job than punching men in the face.

Smakici said if Fury is “still a sausage, I would like to beat him again.” The Croatian was referring to Fury calling Usyk an “ugly little sausage man” in 2023.

Smakici is relatively unknown in the heavyweight division and his highest profile fight was for the EBU European title in 2023, with Agit Kabayel winning by stoppage. Kabayel went into the fight with a 22-0 record and 14 knockouts. He described himself as a “grown-up” heavyweight at 30 years old.

Options for Fury’s comeback fight

Arslanbek Makhmudov has been named as another option for Fury’s return. The Russian has only lost to Kabayel and Guido Vianello.

Experts Barry Jones and Don Charles have said Makhmudov is the most logical choice. Jones said his style, as a big fighter on the slower side, is “made” for Fury.

Andy Ruiz, a former unified world champion, has only boxed three times since his last fight against Anthony Joshua, but may be tempted by a clash with Fury as one of several fighters the latter has called out on social media.

Jarrell Miller drew with Ruiz over 12 rounds in his most recent fight and is another who has been touted as a possible opponent. Miller started in kickboxing before moving to boxing in 2009. He has had several failed fight attempts but has an overall professional record of 26 wins, two draws, and one loss.

Fury vs Wardley

Fury is eyeing a fight against Wardley later in 2026. It was expected that Fury’s second fight would be against Joshua, but it is not clear whether the latter will box again after he lost two close friends in a tragic car crash in Nigeria.

Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu described Joshua as a “source of national pride”. Tinubu was praying that Joshua would have a speedy recovery after being injured in the crash.

Wardley had previously said he would be keen to fight Fury, who said he would see how he does in his first fight back before arranging any others. He described Wardley as a “good option” for him to become a three-time heavyweight champion.

Wardley is WBO interim champion after defeating Joseph Parker in October and Usyk then vacating the title.

Fury noted that boxing fans want to see him fight Joshua but said he wouldn’t say his fellow Englishman’s name “out of respect as he is in mourning.”

Joshua is a two-time WBA super heavyweight champion, two-time IBF heavyweight champion, and two-time WBO heavyweight champion. He has also triumphed at the Commonwealth Games.