Boxing Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren has experienced an incredible journey with Tyson Fury that has involved the Gypsy King cracking America, dislodging the WBC title from longterm titleholder Deontay Wilder in 2020.
Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) defended his green and gold belt four times, including a trilogy with Wilder, until Oleksander Usyk defeated him in a double-header in 2024. Fury’s first career losses prompted a brief retirement, but he will return this Saturday against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Warren has stated that Fury’s return will not be a short-lived experience, and that his heavyweight charge can become a world champion again.
“He believes and a lot of people believe that he will become world champion again,” Warren said at the official press conference yesterday. “He’s the most colorful heavyweight out there. Every time he gets involved in a fight, the build up to it, there is nothing like it. Everybody gets a really good fun time out of it. Once he steps in that ring, you always get a quality fight, a top-quality fight. Some of the best fights I’ve seen in the heavyweight division have involved Tyson.”
The heavyweight division has seen some movement during Fury’s sabbatical. Uysk relinquished his WBO title rather than square off with Fabio Wardley, who was elevated to world champion following a eleventh round stoppage against Joseph Parker. Usyk still holds the IBF, WBA and WBC belts, but will only defend the WBC when he takes on kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
“Probably one of the best live heavyweight fights I’ve ever seen was the last fight he had against Wilder,” Warren added. “It had me on the edge of my seat. That was an amazing fight! And we are on the road again. He’s on that road again to show that he is the best. One thing is for sure, he is the best showman out of all of them, and I’m quite sure that he will prove he is the best as well. That’s the journey he is on. That means you are going to get excitement. The people at Tottenham on Saturday are going to see something special. The people on Netflix will see something special because you are seeing a special fighter. A modern-day great fighter.”
The obvious clash for Fury is a long-awaited clash with British rival Anthony Joshua, who has linked up with Usyk’s training team. Wardley will make his first defence of his who belt, when he welcomes Daniel Dubois to Manchester on May 9.
