Tyson Fury returns to the ring this weekend as he takes on Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) is the first opponent Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) has faced since Oleksandr Usyk at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, live on Netflix.
‘The Gypsy King’ has ruled the heavyweight division twice before. He won his first world title in 2015 when he dethroned long-standing heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.
After some years out of the sport, facing addiction and struggles outside of the ring, he incredibly returned in 2018, facing Francesco Pianeta and Sefer Seferi.
After those two comeback fights, ‘The Gypsy King’ got a shot at world champion Deontay Wilder. They had an epic trilogy where Fury won twice, and the pair shared a draw the first time out.
Since his wins against Wilder, Fury has fought five times. He had two comfortable wins against Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte before struggling against former MMA champion Francis Ngannou.
Many believed Fury lost that fight, but he would go on to lose his next fight against Oleksandr Usyk in his next outing as they fought for the undisputed heavyweight crown.
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He rematched the Ukrainian eight months later and was on the wrong side of a points decision once again before announcing his retirement from the sport.
Unsurprisingly to many, ‘The Gypsy King’ returns on Saturday as he looks to reach world honours for the third time in his career.
He faces Makhmudov, who comes in as a heavy underdog, but definitely has the ability to cause problems for Fury.
He has 17 stoppages before the start of the fourth round and has only slipped up twice.
His first loss came to Agit Kabayel, who outclassed him before stopping the Russian in the fourth round.
Makhmudov next lost to Guido Vianello in 2024 after suffering a nasty cut.
In his last outing, the ‘Lion’ fought on UK soil for the first time and picked up a points victory over Doncaster’s Dave Allen.
Prediction: Fury should have enough to win a decisive points victory.
Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis
Conor Benn returns to the ring for the first time in five months.
His last two fights have taken place at middleweight against Chris Eubank Jr.
‘The Destroyer’ lost their first fight in April before winning the rematch convincingly via a wide unanimous decision.
Before fighting Eubank, Benn (24-1, 14 KOs) campaigned at welterweight and has claimed he intends to go back to 147lbs and win a world title at that weight.
This fight takes place at 150lbs, with both men fighting at that weight for the first time in their careers.
The American comes in as an interesting test for Benn, having been a world champion at super lightweight.
‘Rougarou’ has faced some tough opponents such as Jack Catterall, Devin Haney and Josh Taylor, so is definitely the more experienced professional.
Rumours have begun to circulate online that Prograis (30-3, 24 KOs) sustained a severe injury in camp, with Benn’s former promoter Eddie Hearn claiming the American shouldn’t be fighting.
Prediction: Benn will likely be too quick and explosive for an ageing Prograis and should pick up his 15th stoppage victory on Saturday.
Remaining Undercard
Jeamie TKV (9-2, 5 KOs) puts his British heavyweight title on the line against Richard Riakporhe after defeating Frazer Clarke in November.
Riakporhe (19-1, 15 KOs) fights at heavyweight for just the third time and has a very tough test in front of him, but will likely have enough to win his first title at heavyweight.
Olympian Frazer Clarke (9-2-1, 7 KOs) is back in action and faces a very tough test just months on from his decision loss to TKV.
He faces accomplished amateur Justis Huni, who also comes off a loss, but his was to now-WBO heavyweight champion, Fabio Wardley.
Huni (12-1, 7 KOs) will likely have enough to defeat the more experienced Clarke and may stop ‘Big Fraze’.
Felix Cash fights for the first time in nearly two years after he lost to Tyler Denny following a cut suffered in an accidental head clash.
Cash (16-1, 10 KOs) should be way too skilled for Liam O’Hare (13-2, 4 KOs), who was stopped in November.
Unbeaten welterweight Elliot Whale (13-0, 8 KOs) should stop Tom Hill (12-4, 3 KOs) early on.
On the first few fights on the card, Sultan Almohammed (2-0, 1 KO) of Saudi Arabia should pick up a crucial learning victory against Hector Avila Lozano (3-7-1, 3 KOs)
Breyon Gorham (21-0, 16 KOs), Simon Zachenhuber (28-0, 17 KOs) and Mikie Tallon (12-0, 10 KOs) should stop their respective opponents.
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