Could monster Makhmudov 'retire' Fury? 'He's the best in history'

No build-up to a Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua fight comes without the other's name featuring with stern persistence. But as the world waits on their historic clash, Fury must first slay a 'monster' gunning for his retirement. 

The Gypsy King takes on Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham this weekend in his first fight since suffering a second straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.

He and Joshua continue to be linked to a long-anticipated showdown later this year, but Fury has downplayed suggestions any agreement has been reached and pointed to Saturday's challenge as his primary focus.

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"I've heard it all before [rubbish]," Fury told Sky Sports of the idea that a Joshua fight has been signed. "Not that I'm aware of. I've heard it all before, I've heard it for the last 10 years apparently.

"It's on, one more fight, someone gets beat, knocked out, it's not happening for whatever reason. I don't really take it all to heart, it's just a game and until we're in there together, there's no fight on. Until I'm walking to that ring, the fight's not on.

"One fight that I do know is on Makhmudov on Saturday night. He's a big intimidating looking man, I saw him yesterday, he's a scary looking dude and I've got to be on my A game."

Makhmudov is 21-2 (19 KOs) and coming off a unanimous decision win over Dave Allen last October, his two defeats coming via stoppage against world title contender Agit Kabayel and Italy's Guido Vianello.

Of the 36-year-old's 19 knockout wins, 16 have arrived inside two rounds.

Footage has previously emerged of Makhmudov wrestling a bear; Fury isn't taking him lightly.

"Smash him to pieces," said Fury. "He's a very dangerous man, he's a massive monster.

"Comparing him to fighting other people when they fight the Gypsy King, they raise 25 per cent... I'm anticipating the best Arslanbek Makhmudov there's ever been, why wouldn't he be?

"It's on the biggest stage in the world. I'm sure he's going to be the best he's ever been, but the best Makhmudov versus the Gypsy King, the Gypsy King wins any day."

Fury suffered the first defeat of his professional career in May 2024 when he lost by split decision to Usyk to miss out on becoming undisputed heavyweight champion.

He was outperformed again in the pair's rematch later that year, yet Makhmudov believes he will be facing the division's greatest fighter come Saturday night.

"Tyson Fury's the best heavyweight in history," he told Sky Sports. "Big guy with big punch, of course he's dangerous, everyone at this level is dangerous. But I'm also not nobody. I have power, I have punch. Saturday night we will see which is more successful.

"100 per cent (best in history). For me all my life I've prepare to beat him."

Fury is coming back from the latest of multiple 'retirements' in his career, having stepped away from boxing in the wake of his second defeat to Usyk. While speculation of an eventual fight against Joshua rages on, Makhmudov has no plans to let Fury get that far.

He wants to retire him once and for all.

Promoter Camille Estephan told Sky Sports: "One thing is for Arslanbek is coming to deliver a war. If Fury is ready for war it will be a treat for the fans if he's not ready it will be a short night and Fury's retirement for good."

Fury looks back on his famous victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 as the 'peak' of his career, but even after his latest retirement stint maintains little has changed.

Should he slip up this weekend, he accepts it shall be on him.

"Fifth time, I'm told," Fury said of unretiring.

"It's still the same old stuff, the same old game, the game never changes, just the players change. Boxing's always been the same. The players change. It's no different really, it's just another day at the office.

"I was training myself in Thailand, feeding myself, no nutritionist, Tyson Fury's the manager, promoter, nutritionist and trainer for 99 per cent of the camp. If anything goes wrong, blame me!"