Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has revealed that he plans to return to the boxing ring in 2026.
The British fighter has not competed since his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, a fight that decided three of the four major world heavyweight titles.
However, the 37-year-old announced his comeback on Instagram on Sunday, writing: “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 and get paid for it.”
Fury had previously declared his retirement after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to reverse that decision later the same year. Because of his repeated retirements and comebacks, many fans were sceptical when he again claimed to be stepping away from the sport, despite amassing 34 victories in 37 professional fights.
He expressed anger over the judges’ verdicts in his two losses to Usyk — the only fighter to beat him — and in his retirement message last year remarked: “I’m going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask.”
The boxer, popularly known as the “Gypsy King,” reignited comeback speculation during the festive season by sharing videos of himself training on social media.
Although he has insisted he was done with boxing, Fury has continued to be linked with a long-anticipated all-British showdown against Anthony Joshua, another former two-time heavyweight champion. The two fighters had agreed to meet in August 2021 when they collectively held all the major titles, but the bout was derailed after Fury was compelled to face Deontay Wilder for a third time following an arbitration ruling.
There were plans for both Fury and Joshua to take tune-up fights earlier this year before eventually meeting in either late summer or towards the end of 2026.
However, those plans may now be uncertain following a car accident in Nigeria on Monday that left Joshua injured and claimed the lives of two of his close friends and team members, potentially sidelining him from boxing for the time being.
If Joshua is unable to proceed, Fury could pursue a trilogy bout with Usyk, who currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, or face WBO champion Fabio Wardley.
Victory in either contest would see Fury equal Muhammad Ali’s record as a three-time world heavyweight champion.