Tyson Fury has officially confirmed that he will be making a return to professional boxing in 2026, one year after stepping away from the sport for what was his fifth retirement.
The former heavyweight champion broke the news on Instagram, putting an end to months of speculation that began after fans noticed training videos he shared during the festive season. In his post, Fury made it clear that he feels far from finished.
“2026 is that year. Return of the mac,” he wrote. “Been away for a while but im back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face & get paid for it.”
Fury last retired in January 2025, just weeks after suffering a second straight points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian boxer outclassed him twice in 2024 in blockbuster bouts held in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh, denying Fury the chance to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.
Despite those setbacks, Fury’s career record remains impressive. He holds a 34-2-1 record and is a two-time world heavyweight champion, having dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and later defeating Deontay Wilder in 2020 in their memorable rivalry.
Now 37, Fury is no stranger to dramatic exits and returns. He previously announced retirements in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022, only to find his way back into the ring each time after relatively short breaks.
His latest comeback instantly fuels speculation about potential blockbuster fights. A third showdown with Usyk would attract massive global interest, while a long-discussed all-British clash with Anthony Joshua had been pencilled in for 2026. However, that fight is now surrounded by uncertainty following a recent car crash involving Joshua that tragically claimed the lives of two close members of his team.
Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, admitted that Joshua’s future in boxing remains unclear in the aftermath of the tragedy.
“This is an awful time for everyone involved,” Warren said. “I don’t even know if he will ever have the appetite to fight again or if he will ever fight again, that is something that only time will tell.”
Fury also shared his condolences with Joshua on social media, writing, “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.”
With this announcement, Fury appears fully focused on another chapter in his career, setting his sights on a historic comeback and a possible bid to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.
