(January 28th) Morecambe, Lancashire, United Kingdom, heavyweight legend, Tyson “Gypsy King” Fury will end his retirement to face Russian knockout artist Arslanbek "The Lion" Makhmudov on April 11, 2026, in the United Kingdom, marking his return to boxing after a 16-month absence.

The bout, confirmed by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh alongside promoters Sela and The Ring, will stream live globally on Netflix at no additional cost to subscribers, marking the platform's first live boxing broadcast from the UK. The specific venue has not yet been announced.

Fury, announced his retirement in January 2025 following consecutive losses to unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. The two fought in May 2024, where Usyk claimed victory, then met again in December 2024 with the same result—the only defeats in Fury's professional career.

"Excited to be back," Fury told Netflix. "Heart's always been and always will be in boxing. Someone go tell the king that the ace is back!"

The April fight will mark Fury's first appearance in a British ring since December 2022, when he defeated Derek Chisora by technical knockout—more than three years between home fights for "The Gypsy King."

The 6-foot-9, 37-year-old, Fury, 34-2-1, 24Ko’s former two-time heavyweight world champion, having held the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and WBC titles during his career. His last victory came against Francis Ngannou in 2023.

The 6-foot-6, 36-year-old, Montreal, Quebec, Canada based Russian, Makhmudov, 21-2, 19Ko’s most recently defeated British boxer Dave Allen by unanimous decision in October 2025. However, Makhmudov has suffered stoppage losses to Guido Vianello and Agit Kabayel in higher-level competition.

"I am thrilled about the opportunity," Makhmudov said of the matchup. "I'm coming to deliver a war."

The fight represents a critical juncture for both fighters. For Fury, it's an opportunity to rebuild his path toward title contention after the disappointment of his losses to Usyk. For Makhmudov, facing a former champion of Fury's stature offers a chance to elevate his profile in the heavyweight division and prove he belongs among the elite.

Alalshikh expressed enthusiasm about the matchup: "We are happy that Tyson decided to come out of retirement for what should be an exciting heavyweight clash against Makhmudov."

The bout is part of a series of high-profile boxing events backed by Alalshikh and Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, continuing their significant investment in the sport. With both fighters possessing considerable power and size—each weighing over 260 pounds in recent bouts—the April 11 clash promises to be a compelling heavyweight showdown.

Turki Alalshikh, is a prominent Saudi Arabian figure in sports and entertainment, serving as the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and a key advisor to the Saudi royal court. He has become one of the most influential boxing promoters globally since around 2019, spearheading Saudi Arabia's investments in major combat sports events through initiatives like Riyadh Season. Alalshikh is known for organizing high-profile, big-budget fights often held in Saudi Arabia, featuring stars like Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, and others, which have drawn massive global audiences and significant pay-per-view revenue.

Partnership with Sela

Sela, is a Saudi-based sports and entertainment company, fully owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), specializing in event management, venue development, and experiential activations. In March 2025, Alalshikh partnered with TKO Group Holdings (the parent company of UFC and WWE) and Sela to launch a new, unnamed boxing promotion aimed at disrupting the sport's traditional model. This multi-year venture, led by figures like UFC CEO Dana White, WWE President Nick Khan, and Sela's CEO Dr. Rakan Alharthy, focuses on providing platforms for top boxers and prospects, with events debuting later in 2025. Sela has been directly involved in promoting Riyadh Season cards, including the September 2025 "Fight of the Century" between Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford for the undisputed super middleweight title, streamed on Netflix as part of a strategic partnership. This collaboration has positioned Sela as a co-promoter for major bouts, enhancing Saudi Arabia's role in global boxing.

The Ring, often called "The Bible of Boxing," is a historic magazine founded in 1922 that provides rankings, analysis, and awards prestigious championship belts. Alalshikh's promotions frequently involve The Ring's titles, adding legitimacy to events. In 2025, The Ring announced a partnership with TKO and Sela, aligning with Alalshikh's new promotion to combine resources for coverage, events, and fighter development. For instance, the Alvarez-Crawford fight was contested for The Ring's super middleweight belt. Recent events like the January 2026 Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson bout at Madison Square Garden have been branded as "The Ring 6," indicating ongoing ties. Additionally, organizations like the WBC have praised the collaboration between Alalshikh, Sela, and The Ring in events such as the Boxing Grand Prix semifinals.