Fury Returns With Points Win Over Makhmudov, Calls Out Joshua

Tyson Fury returned to the ring after 16 months away and left Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday, then immediately ignited the heavyweight division's most anticipated potential showdown by calling out Anthony Joshua in front of a crowd of approximately 60,000.

All three judges scored the 12-round bout comfortably in Fury's favour, with two returning scorecards of 120-108 and the third reading 119-109. It was the former WBC champion's first bout on British soil since 2022, and his first win since back-to-back points losses to unified titleholder Oleksandr Usyk. Fury improves to 35-2-1 with 24 knockouts; Makhmudov drops to 21-3.

The Russian, who carries 19 knockouts from his 21 wins but had previously been stopped by both Agit Kabayel and Guido Vianello, made an assertive opening, connecting with an overhand right in round one. But Fury settled quickly, switching stances and working his jab, and by the third round Makhmudov was already fading. The fight became one-sided as the rounds accumulated, with Makhmudov marching forward recklessly and inviting Fury to pick him apart from distance.

The result was never seriously in doubt, but what came after the final bell commanded the evening. Joshua had been seated ringside on a night Saudi entertainment chief Turki Alalshikh spent telegraphing something significant. "Today we have a big surprise," Alalshikh told the Netflix audience. "I think, I hope we announce the biggest fight in the history of England."

Fury did not wait for a formal announcement. He grabbed the microphone and addressed Joshua directly: "I want to give you the fight you've all been waiting for. I want you, AJ. Let's give the fight fans what they want, the battle of Britain." He then issued a formal challenge by name, asking Joshua in front of the stadium crowd whether he accepted.

Joshua declined to enter the ring. He stared Fury down before eventually responding: "Tyson, you're a clout chaser. I've never had no problem getting into the ring with you. I punched you up when we were kids, and after watching you here tonight, I'll punch you up again." Fury fired back: "There's no running from me this time. Ten years in the making, let's dance."

Fury had set the stage before fight week even began, dismissing Deontay Wilder as a potential opponent for Joshua. "Forget Wilder, the man's a shell of himself," Fury said. "Let me get through Makhmudov and we'll do the fight this year."

Whether Saturday's performance convinces the heavyweight public a Fury-Joshua fight remains elite-level box office is a separate question. Fury showed the craft and experience that defined his prime, but Makhmudov was an accommodating opponent. The real audition comes if the two British heavyweights finally share a ring, a prospect that, after years of near-misses, now looks closer than ever.