Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in heated argument after Gypsy King wins comeback over Arslanbek Makhmudov

Tyson Fury blew off the cobwebs to beat Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday night before calling out Anthony Joshua.

‘The Gypsy King’ looked rusty following 16 months out of the ring, but was still able to cruise to a wide unanimous decision victory via margins of 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109. 

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And in the immediate aftermath, he implored long-time rival Joshua to finally meet him in a fight that has been almost a decade in the making.

“I want to give you the fight you’ve all been waiting for,” said Fury.

“I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let’s give the fight fans what they want – the Battle of Britain.

“I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me, the Gypsy King, next.

“Do you accept my challenge?”

Hitting back – and refusing to get in the ring for a face-off – Joshua replied: “Tyson, you’re a clout chaser.

“Tyson, I’ve never had no problem getting in the ring with you.

“With all due respect, tonight is your night. You ain’t gonna tell me what to do.

“I’ve been chasing you for the last ten years. I’m the boss.

“You work for me. I’m the landlord. Remember that.”

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While the domestic dust-up is undoubtedly still a commercial juggernaut, Fury’s comeback fight will have done little to whet the British public’s appetite.

Story of the fight

Fury picked apart the technically limited Makhmudov on the outside in a messy affair that saw both men’s styles gel awkwardly.

The Russian took the fight to Fury from the opening bell and let his hand fly with reckless abandon, though his shots were telegraphed and often fell short.

For the most part, it was a clinch fest, with Makhmudov regularly tying up Fury on the inside after looping clubbing shots over the top.

Fury showed flashes of the fighter who once sat atop the heavyweight division, tagging Makhmudov with a sharp right uppercut and check left hook as ‘The Lion’ trudged forward.

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But Fury was unable to go through the gears and get the stoppage.

By round nine, fans were filtering out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the exhausted big men laboured to the final bell.

Providing an instant assessment of his performance, Fury added: “16 months out is not a short time, it’s a long time.

“I got back to my sliding in there, I got a sharp 12 rounds. I got a good 12 valuable rounds in there.

“I took out the No 5 contender in the world with ease.”

Boxing schedule

For all the upcoming fights and results this year, check out talkSPORT.com’s  boxing schedule.