Fury Dominates Makhmudov, Calls Out Joshua

LONDON – Tyson Fury showcased his skills on Saturday, navigating a unanimous decision victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov, though he did seem a bit rusty at times. Right after the match, he set his sights on Anthony Joshua, issuing a challenge from ringside.

“Let’s give the fans what they want,” Fury exclaimed following the 12-round bout in his latest comeback.

The anticipated heavyweight clash between Fury and Joshua is shaping up to be monumental, possibly marking the most significant fight in British boxing history.

Joshua watched from ringside, seemingly recording parts of the fight on his phone at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. When Fury (35-2-1) called out to him via the Netflix microphone, asking, “Do you accept my challenge?” the response was less than definitive.

“I’m going to beat you up,” Joshua replied, confidently declaring, “I’m the landlord. You work for me.”

In terms of Saturday’s fight, the self-proclaimed “Gypsy King” had a slow start but managed to control the tempo with his left jab, landing several uppercuts on Mahmudov (21-3) as the rounds progressed. Two judges scored it 120-108, while the third had it 119-109.

After the match, the 36-year-old former world champion mentioned in a Netflix interview, “The contract will be sent out. You’ll probably see us in the ring.”

He also acknowledged he was “sorting out some things” following the tragic loss of two friends in a car accident in Nigeria, in which Joshua was a passenger.

Fury, now 37 and a two-time heavyweight champion, had previously announced his retirement after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, marking his only two defeats in the professional arena.

“If AJ doesn’t want it, let Usyk be part of the trilogy,” Fury suggested during the post-fight press conference.

In a nod to the late Ricky Hatton, a former world champion who passed away last year at 46, Fury walked to the ring with “RIP Ricky” stitched into the back of his pants.