Tyson Fury is back and appears to have sealed an all-British blockbuster vs Anthony Joshua with an easy points victory over giant Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov in London on Saturday night.
‘The Gypsy King’ returned from a 16-month layoff to motor to a convincing points success in front of more than 50,000 fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the English capital.
READ MORE: Latest heavyweight rankings after Fury vs Makhmudov
He showed few signs of ring rust after returning from retirement, and now surely he will be in with his great British rival Joshua.
Fury roared to Joshua ringside: “I ‘The Gypsy King’ challenge you Anthony Joshua to fight me, NEXT. Do you accept my challenge? Come on you big s***house, are you gonna fight or what?”
Joshua responded: “Tyson, I’ve never had any problem getting in the ring with you. You know I’ll sit across that ring from you in good time. I’ve been chasing you for the last 10 years. When you’re ready, come and see me. I’m the boss, you work for me. I’m the landlord.”
Fury ended his tirade with: “10 years in the making, let’s f***ing dance!”
Scorecards and Result
Michael Buffer has the scorecards and Fury wins by unanimous decision by the widest of margins. Two judges have it a total shutout at 120-108 while the other, like Furyjoshua.com, has it 119-109. Fury improves to 35-2-1 and now surely moves on to that blockbuster vs Anthony Joshua.
Round 12
‘Sugar Hill’ was much happier with that, and he sends out Fury for the final session with his man in a big lead. The two fighters embrace in centre ring and then go to work for the final three minutes. Lovely combination from Fury to start off, with a chopping right hand to the head to complete the flurry. Lovely stuff again from Fury with the uppercuts, and he’ll be very happy to get 12 good rounds in the bank tonight. The stamina and the ability are very much still there. Another sweet right uppercut hits home with a minute remaining. The final bell sounds, Fury raises his hand and he surely has this one in the bag. Furyjoshua.com scores it 119-109 for ‘The Gypsy King’. We gave Makhmudov the first round and a share of the ninth, everything else was all Fury. To the scorecards we go.
Round 11
Fury tells ‘Sugar Hill’ that he’s boxing well, but his trainer tells the student it is time to close the show. He wants ‘The Gypsy King’ to step it up and finish this thing. By the way, Anthony Joshua has been sat ringside recording all of this on his mobile phone. Scouting session for the man who is expected to be Fury’s next opponent. Terrific end to the session from Fury – and it is uppercuts all the way, every one landing on the chin of the giant Russian. Makhmudov survives again though and at this stage it looks like he will live to hear the final bell.
Round 10
Fury starts the 10th with an assault powered by body shots. Makhmudov, fair play, is hanging in there. The big Russian loses his mouthpiece early in the round and referee Bates retrieves it – nice break for Makhmudov. Fury lands a lovely uppercut that buckles the legs of the giant Russian, sweet shot that. Fury finishes the round well on top and ends the session with a left hook-right hand combination.
Round 9
Punch stats so far show Fury landing 106 and Makhmudov only 44 heading into the final third of this 12-round heavyweight main event. Better start to the ninth for Makhmudov, who makes the first two minutes a battle of attrition. It’s messy as he steams forward, but eventually Fury starts getting back on top in the final minute, and the class tells again. Level round for us, the first success for Makhmudov since the opener.
Round 8
Terrific round for Fury, who really hurts Makhmudov in a big way for the first time. He throws his full arsenal of shots in the eighth, first landing a sweet uppercut. But it is a lovely left check hook with about a minute remaining that stiffens the legs of the big Russian. He’s in trouble and has to hold on for dear life as the round draws to a close. Excellent stuff from ‘The Gypsy King’ who is in total control.
Round 7
Makhmudov finally gets back into the action early in Round 7, landing a pair of right hands as Fury is on the back foot. But the respite is only momentary for the big Russian and Fury returns to fighting behind that lightning left jab. It’s sharp and it’s powerful and it is hurting Makhmudov regularly. Fury throws a million feints before closing the round with a double jab to the face that Makhmudov is defenceless against. He eats it before sitting wearily on his stool. Another Fury round.
Round 6
Virtuoso stuff from Fury in the sixth – he’s really feeling it now. Double and triple jabs peppering the fading force that is Makhmudov. The Russian has no answer, he’s telegraphing everything and right now this looks like a masterclass in matchmaking from Frank Warren and co at Queensberry. Makhmudov is made for a man of Fury’s skillset. We have it 5 rounds to 1 for ‘The Gypsy King’ so far.
Round 5
Makhmudov swings and misses twice early in the fifth, wild stuff from the Russian. Fury has the answer for everything right now. It’s not exactly a masterclass from ‘The Gypsy King’ but he is showing few signs of ring rust here, impressively answering everything Makhmudov throws at him. The Russian’s lack of technical ability being highlighted here, and he’s paying the price as Fury mixes in body shots and sweet counters. Fatigue will come into play ever more as each round passes.
Round 4
Makhmudov clips Fury with a left early in the fourth, ‘The Gypsy King’ just needs to retain his focus. He’s in charge but anything can happen in a heavyweight fight. Fury hits back though with a lovely flurry, and tags Makhmudov with a right hook to the head. Then Makhmudov swings and misses in a big way, and Fury counters with a lovely right to the jaw of the Russian – there is a massive gulf in class here. Another round for Fury in the bank, he’s in charge here and complacency is his only enemy.
Round 3
Another terrific round for Fury, who is really in the zone now. Makhmudov had one plan – steam forward with big, wide shots. It took about three minutes for Tyson to defuse that threat. Now he’s in charge, gradually chopping down the big Russian with lovely body shots. He’s also mixing in sweet combinations. The Russian is definitely getting weary and eager to hold as soon as Fury starts to unload.
Round 2
‘Sugar Hill’ Steward telling Fury between rounds to take charge rather than allowing Makhmudov to be on the offensive. We are back under way in the second and it’s a much much better session for ‘The Gypsy King’. He finds his range and really starts to pepper Makhmudov with a stiff left jab. Also unleashes a lovely combination and then an uppercut. Mixing in body shots as well. Makhmudov looks very very limited and starting to tire after just two rounds. Fury back in the swing after a 16-month layoff. Definitely Tyson’s round.
Round 1
We are under way in north London and we are about to find out just how much the great Tyson Fury has left. Scheduled for 12 rounds and the carrot of that massive Joshua showdown awaits. Referee Mark Bates calls it on and away we go. Really positive start from Makhmudov, on the offensive immediately. The Russian really coming forward constantly, Fury content to backpedal and hold and then unleash body shots. Makhmudov not exactly the most skilled operator but he has power and strength – these two men weigh a combined 531lbs. They are enornomous. Fury still lying on the ropes as Makhmudov advances with crude assaults. He’s rough and tough but Fury is content to take the steam out of him. Messy first round, Makhmudov probably just edges it.
