Boxer Tyson Fury, left, celebrates victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in a heavyweight bout in London, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Bradley Collyer/PA via AP)
LONDON — Tyson Fury showed little rust in dominating Arslanbek Makhmudov for a unanimous decision victory Saturday and immediately challenged a ringside Anthony Joshua to fight him next.
“Let’s give the fight fans what they need,” Fury bellowed after going 12 rounds in his latest comeback.
A protracted-awaited Fury-Joshua heavyweight showdown could be one in all the most important fights in British boxing history.
READ: Tyson Fury reveals Joshua crash provoked his return to boxing
WHAT A FIGHT.
Nothing but love between Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov after 12 tough rounds 👏#FuryMakhmudov is LIVE on Netflix pic.twitter.com/MviJQ77pZ2
— Netflix Sports (@netflixsports) April 11, 2026
Joshua sat ringside and seemed to be using his phone to film portions of the fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He didn’t commit to anything when Fury (35-2-1) yelled into the Netflix microphone: “Do you accept my challenge?”
Joshua said, “I’ll punch you up,” and “I’m the owner. You’re employed for me.”
As for Saturday’s fight, the self-described “Gypsy King” had a reasonably slow start but otherwise dictated the pace together with his left jab and in later rounds landed frequent lead uppercuts on Makhmudov (21-3). Two judges scored it 120-108 and the opposite 119-109.
The 36-year-old Joshua, a former world champion, later told Netflix in an interview: “Contracts will probably be sent over. You’ll probably see us within the ring.”
He noted he’s still “sorting some things out” following the death of two close friends in a fatal automobile accident in Nigeria. Joshua was a passenger within the vehicle.
READ: Tyson Fury coming out of retirement to fight Arslanbek Makhmudov
It’s happening.
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua. This autumn from the UK. LIVE only on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/tG2CkdDdhK
— Netflix (@netflix) April 11, 2026
The 37-year-old Fury, the previous two-time heavyweight champion, called it quits shortly after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024 for a second time — his only two skilled defeats.
“If AJ don’t want it, then lets get Usyk within the trilogy,” Fury said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference.
At Fury’s request, his ring walk was preceded by a tribute to the late Ricky Hatton, the Manchester native and former world champion who died last 12 months at age 46.
The message “RIP Ricky” was stitched on the back of Fury’s shorts.
Benn handles Prograis
Conor Benn earned a 10-round unanimous decision over Regis Prograis to bolster his case for a title shot against WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia.
Benn (25-1, 14 KOs) took command in the center rounds with punishing body shots against 37-year-old Prograis (30-4, 24 KOs), a former two-time world champion at super lightweight (140 lbs).
Saturday’s bout was at a catchweight of 150 lbs.
All three judges scored it 98-92 for the 29-year-old Briton, who sustained cuts over each eyes from head clashes.