Tyson Fury announces comeback condition: Only against Usyk will the “Gypsy King” return to the ring in 2026 – and in England!
Tyson Fury is apparently planning a comeback after all – but only on one condition: A third duel against his rival Oleksandr Usyk. The 35-year-old Brit made this clear during a public appearance in Istanbul. “If I come back, it will only be for Usyk – I want a fair fight in England. That would be the only fight I’m interested in,” said Fury. Last year, the “Gypsy King” lost both fights against the Ukrainian. The second defeat in December 2024 was particularly clear. Fury then announced his retirement from professional boxing and has since been rather cautious about a return. He has now clearly rejected rumors of a British super duel with Anthony Joshua.
However, just a few hours after his press appearance in Istanbul, the “Gypsy King” made a slight change to his statement that he would only return for a third fight against Oleksandr Usyk. At the congress of the International Boxing Association (IBA), Fury let slip: “I just want to fight this Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium in front of 100,000 spectators and lift the belt once again and become a three-time champion. That would be my dream. But apart from that, my second dream would be to make a big fight with Anthony Joshua.”
A comeback is already being worked on in the background. Turki Al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia’s sports minister and mastermind behind the “Riyadh Season”, confirmed on social media that Fury will return in 2026: “I spoke to him – he gave me his word. The Gypsy King will be back.” Should a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk actually take place, it would be the biggest heavyweight trilogy in modern times, if not in boxing history. And the “Battle of Britain” against AJ would also electrify the masses.
Text by Robin Josten