2026-01-29 15:10:26

The winner of Tyson Fury’s comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov will be rewarded with a high world ranking, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has said.

The Gypsy King, 37, returns to the ring on April 11, 2026 in the UK to face The Lion, 36, after reversing his retirement – with the bout marking Fury’s first appearance since consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 39, in 2024.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Sulaiman confirmed the stakes attached to the contest.

He said of Fury: “As a former champion, he has rights and privileges and absolutely I am sure the winner will be highly ranked in the WBC.”

The WBC president highlighted Makhmudov’s credentials as a legitimate threat for Fury’s return.

He said: “[Makhmudov] was a WBC International and Silver champion, he’s solid, strong. To come back from a long layoff out the ring, it’s an interesting challenge for Fury.”

The Gypsy King announced his retirement at the start of 2025, but has since admitted life away from boxing did not suit him.

His decision to return has been warmly welcomed by the sport’s leading sanctioning body.

Sulaiman said: “Tyson Fury is Tyson Fury. He’s a sensational ambassador for boxing, great fighter, he has a tremendous following and I’m very excited.

“His life without boxing is not the same and it’s going to be a good solid challenge to see him back in boxing and I’m very happy for him.”

Despite Fury’s age and long career – he turned professional in 2008 – Sulaiman believes The Gypsy King still has plenty left to offer.

He said: “Tyson has never been hurt. He’s always in shape, always focused. I think there’s Tyson Fury [in boxing] for a long while.”

Sulaiman also reflected on Fury’s wider impact on the sport, both inside and outside the ring.

He said: “In boxing and outside of boxing, to have overcome the huge difficulties he faced, in addictions, he defeated that.

“He came back and became champion, knocking out [Deontay] Wilder, then had a great run as a champion, motivating and influencing so many people around the world.”

Makhmudov – who has only lost to high-level opposition, including WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel, 33, and Olympian Guido Vianello, 31 – has described the Fury fight as a career-defining opportunity.

Fury, meanwhile, has made it clear that this comeback is not a one-off, and has spoken openly about reclaiming a world title later this year – with the April 11 bout viewed as a crucial step back into the heavyweight title picture.

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