'I'm back now' - Former world champion Tyson Fury ends retirement and plans 2026 boxing comeback

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Tyson Fury last fought in December 2024, losing his unified title fight with Oleksandr Usyk, missing out on the chance to gain revenge for a loss earlier in that year. He retired the following month, but speculation continued to mount that he would one day announce a return to the ring. Fury has now done so on social media, announcing a planned return this year.

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Former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has announced he will end his retirement and fight in 2026.

The 37-year-old fought last in December 2024, when he lost his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk, having lost in their first fight earlier in that year as the Ukrainian became the first four-belt undisputed champion at the weight.

Fury then announced his retirement last January, but after several previous retirement announcements, there continued to be speculation that he would return to the ring.

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Queensberry promoter Frank Warren had been open that he anticipated an eventual return for his fighter.

That speculation intensified as Fury was recorded training in Thailand with South African fighter Kevin Lerena.

In an Instagram post on Sunday, Fury said: "2026 is that year. Return of the Mac. Been away for a while but I'm back now. 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face & get paid for it."

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Speculation will doubtless now begin as to Fury's possible next opponent as he resumes his career.

Before his two fights against Usyk, Fury was unbeaten, and many saw him as the favourite in the initial fight.

He had an underwhelming performance against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou ahead of the first clash with Usyk, suffering a knockdown, but he was able to rally to claim a contentious victory.

Fury established himself as one of modern heavyweight boxing’s best fighters with a trilogy series against "Bronze Bomber" Deontay Wilder.

With the WBC strap up for grabs, Wilder and Fury drew the first fight, but Fury then put in two of the best showings of his career with consecutive victories over his American opponent.

In 2015 he defeated Wladimir Klitschko in Germany to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and The Ring titles, but stepped away from the sport to address mental health issues, ahead of a return to the ring in 2018.

Fury stunned long-reigning champion Klitschko to claim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and The Ring heavyweight titles in Germany.

Fury has often said he would pursue a trilogy fight with Usyk in an attempt to regain at least one world title, but Usyk has lately talked up the chance of his own meeting with Wilder.

If not Usyk or Joshua, then current WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley could be a potential opponent, given he is also represented by promoter Warren’s Queensberry outfit.

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