Tyson Fury returns to action in six weeks against Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov, and fellow Brit — and former Makhmudov opponent — Dave Allen has warned “The Gypsy King” not to underestimate the challenge.
Fury last fought in December 2024, when he suffered a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, before announcing his fifth retirement from the sport. However, 37-year-old now has his sights set on becoming boxing’s fifth three-time heavyweight champion.
For his comeback, Fury has opted to take on Mozdok-born knockout artist Makhumdov, who has gone the distance just twice despite 23 bouts to his name.
One of those contests came four months ago on British soil in Sheffield, where the 36-year-old spoiled the party for Dave Allen with a unanimous-decision win in front of a raucous pro-Allen crowd.
In April, ‘The Lion’ will ironically step foot into the den of his opponent once again, as he seeks a shock win over Fury in London. Speaking to Seconds Out, Allen admitted that Makhmudov’s punch power could see him ‘flatten’ Fury, especially if 14 months of inactivity has caused the home fighter to decline.
“He hits really hard, he does hit really hard. If he hits Tyson, he will flatten Tyson, but he has to hit him, which is not an easy feat.
“I think that it is a good match, it is an interesting match because Makhmudov really does hit hard enough to hurt him.
“I think it depends, if Tyson is as good as he was when he last saw him then I think Tyson will win.”
Fury-Makhmudov takes place on Saturday, April 11, and will be available to watch live on Netflix.