Tyson Fury Considers Anthony Joshua Tragedy a ‘Turning Point’ in Retirement U-Turn

The Gypsy King, Tyson Fury, makes his long-awaited return to the ring on April 11.

He will tackle the awkward customer that is Arslanbek Makhmudov, the powerful Russian, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It will mark Fury’s latest U-turn on his retirement plans. He has cited the tragic car crash involving Anthony Joshua, which resulted in the death of two of his friends, as the ‘biggest turning point’ in his decision to lace up his gloves once more.

Best of Enemies

The devastating accident in Nigeria has halted Joshua’s boxing career for the foreseeable future.

He was plotting a busy 2026, fresh from winning his exhibition-style bout with Jake Paul – as expected, given that Anthony Joshua fight odds of 1/12 gave him an implied probability of prevailing of 92%.

Hopes for Joshua vs Fury were rekindled, although those have naturally been put on the back burner – despite confirmation that negotiations had opened between the two camps.

Instead, those fancying a boxing bet might instead examine the odds on Fury, after 14 months away from the ring, who has been made a 1/6 chance – an implied probability of 85% - against Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 36-year-old Russian, who fights out of Canada, has won 21 of his 23 fights – 19 of them by knockout, with 13 of those coming in the first round.

Makhmudov’s record is somewhat padded out with victories over fading veterans such as Carlos Takam, Mariusz Wach, and Erkan Teper; each of whom was well past their best when going toe-to-toe with the 6ft 6in brawler.

Indeed, it’s perhaps telling that the sole occasion that Makhmudov has battled a truly classy operator, Agit Kabayel, he was stopped inside four rounds having been dropped to the canvas three times prior to the premature conclusion.

A fit and firing Fury will surely have too much skill for the Russian. And judging by his recent comments, the Gypsy King will have no shortage of motivation – given to him by the unlikely source of his verbal, if not literal, sparring partner Joshua.

No Tomorrow

“The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was a tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua.”

Those were the words of Fury as he explained his in-ring return to the media during a press conference announcing the Makhmudov bout.

The Gypsy King, who will turn 38 in August, evidently senses that the sands of time are slipping away as far as his boxing career is concerned. And witnessing what happened to Joshua and his associates has clearly had an impact.

Fury spoke of his ‘love and passion’ for the sweet science, while citing the belief that there’s ‘no tomorrow’ – we should all endeavour to take care of business today while we can, the Gypsy King affirmed.

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His 2026 plans won’t end with Makhmudov, of course. Without looking past the Russian, Fury will be eyeing a money-spinning trilogy bout with Oleksandr Usyk, a domestic tear-up with the winner of Fabio Wardley versus Daniel Dubois, or, in a twist of fate, a better-late-than-never scrap with Joshua himself.

Perspective can be a powerful force for good, that’s for sure…