Tyson Fury returns to the ring this weekend in London after over a year out. If he overcomes Russian powerhouse Arslanbek Makhumdov, he is hoping to finally deliver on one of the biggest fights the sport can offer.
‘The Gypsy King’ is a handy favourite against Makhmudov, who poses a threat with his power but has been defeated at world level in the past. The general consensus is that, if Fury is close to the same fighter as he was in his two competitive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, he will emerge victorious.
So who will he call out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium post-fight? Speaking on Inside the Ring, Fury said Anthony Joshua is at the top of his hit list.
“It’s not really about a belt anymore it’s just that I want to make that Anthony Joshua fight that was supposed to have happened for the last 10 years but hasn’t.
“Obviously I have this big fight in front of me in Makhmudov first and then we don’t know what the third fight might be after Joshua but I’m aiming for three fights this year.”
It is a notable admission from Fury, who has played coy on the bout in the past despite huge fan demand. It is understood that the pair are in early discussions for a fight towards the end of the year, with ‘AJ’ likely taking another fight in the meantime.
Fury does not rule out the rivalry becoming a two-fight affair, though he believes that will be prevented by him ‘blowing away’ his countryman.
“If it’s a good fight with me and AJ, which I don’t think it will be, I think it will be a blow-away, then we will have a rematch. But if not, we will see.”
Fans will now focus on how Fury looks come Saturday night. At 37 and coming off a long period of inactivity, he himself has admitted that he may not be the fighter he was.