‘I’m back’ – Tyson Fury confirms boxing return at 37 after announcing retirement following second Oleksandr Usyk loss

Jan 4, 2026 - 12:30

Tyson Fury has confirmed he will return to the ring in 2026.

Fury hasn’t fought since his consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 and announced his retirement from the sport in a video on social media in January 2025.

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 21: Oleksandr Usyk punches Tyson Fury during the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles' fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) — Fury tasted two defeats to Ukraine’s heavyweight king Usyk in May and December of 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - DECEMBER 21: Tyson Fury reacts following defeat in the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight titles' fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury as part of Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury 2, Reignited card at Kingdom Arena on December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) — The losses marked the first of Fury’s 37-fight, 18-year career

Fans took Fury’s words with a pinch of salt at the time, as we have seen ‘The Gypsy King’ announce his farewell on more than one occasion previously.

However, after telling members of the media in June that he wanted a third fight with Usyk, Fury said he will ‘never’ make a return to the sweet science.

But, in typical Fury style, the two-time heavyweight champion has now said he will make a grand return this year.

Tyson Fury: Nothing better than getting paid to ‘punch men in the face’

Accompanying a video of him training with WBC bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena in Thailand, Fury wrote on Instagram: “2026 is that year – Return of the Mac.

“[I’ve] been away for a while, but I’m back now, 37 years old and still punching.

“[There’s] nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it.”

Fury left some fans concerned when he posted fresh training footage this week of him moving around with Lerena in Thailand.

The British heavyweight showed he still had thunder in his jab, but his bulky physique was a big talking point, with members of the boxing fraternity saying Fury will have to work hard to shed weight.

It is understood that plans are in place for Fury to fight in the first quarter of 2026.

If he gets through that, ‘The Gypsy King’ is then being pushed by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh to meet Anthony Joshua in a long-awaited all-British classic in the summer.

(FILES) Britain's Tyson Fury reacts during a press conference, in London, on November 16, 2023, ahead of his undisputed heavyweight world championship contest against Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk, taking place in early February 17, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury said Monday, January 13, he had retired from boxing. — ‘The Gypsy King’ previously said he was ‘retired’ and ‘staying retired’

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Fury vs Joshua has been discussed for years, but it seems like the stars could finally align in 2026.

However, following Joshua’s involvement in a tragic car accident this week, the date for the pair’s fight is more than likely going to have to be pushed back.

Joshua had somewhat brushed off the cobwebs by accepting a lucrative Netflix bout with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19.

Fury, along with his father John, offered his condolences to Joshua following the motor accident in Nigeria, which sadly claimed the lives of Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Ayodele – two of AJ’s teammates.

The funeral of Ghami and Ayodele takes place today, Sunday, January 4.