Tyson Fury, the prominent British heavyweight boxer and two-time world champion, has announced he will come out of retirement in 2026. Fury shared the news through his Instagram account, stating, "2026 is that year. Return of the mac. Been away for a while but I’m back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it." This declaration signals his return to professional boxing after stepping away from the ring in late 2024.
Fury's retirement followed his second loss to Oleksandr Usyk, which took place in December 2024. Prior to his matches with Usyk, Fury maintained an undefeated streak spanning 35 fights, recording 34 wins and one draw. His career highlights include a significant victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, where he won on points to become the Super WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion.
Despite retiring after a 2022 win against Dillian Whyte, Fury resumed fighting the following year, including a notable trilogy with American boxer Deontay Wilder that resulted in a draw and two wins, securing the WBC title.
The announcement of Fury's comeback comes amid widespread speculation about a prospective fight with fellow British former champion Anthony Joshua in 2026. Joshua recently scored a knockout victory against entertainer Jake Paul but has since been involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria that resulted in two fatalities and left Joshua with injuries, casting doubt on his short-term boxing plans.
Fury has not specified potential opponents for his return fights, however, alongside the possibility of facing Joshua, a trilogy finale against Usyk or a contest with WBO titleholder Fabio Wardley are also potential matchups being discussed within boxing circles.
Fury's career has exhibited resilience and noteworthy performances, consolidating his status within the sport by reclaiming titles and engaging in highly publicized fights. His return at 37 is set to revive interest in heavyweight boxing and potentially impact related sectors, such as event promotion, broadcasting rights, and sponsorship agreements.