Tyson Fury Issues Response After Concerning Fans With Physique In Training Video

Tyson Fury has addressed his physique after concerning fans in a training video ahead of his comeback.

Fury is set to resume his legendary boxing career in 2026 after retiring from the sport following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.

Before Anthony Joshua was involved in a fatal car crash that killed two of his close friends, an all-British showdown was mooted – with Fury releasing footage of his preparations in Thailand ahead of his ring return.

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The video shows the self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ punching a heavy bag as he goes through his paces.

But people online were stunned by his shape.

Fury appeared to be carrying extra weight, having sat out the entirety of 2025.

After being mocked for his physique, the 37-year-old took to social media to defend his shape, claiming he has beaten ‘everybody with a fat belly’.

In a video shared on social media, Fury says: “I’ve had a few comments, I’m looking a bit hench, chubby, fat. Well, welcome to my world, never been any different.

“I beat everybody with a fat belly, never been any different. It’s never made any odds before, why should it make any odds today?”

Fury, who is weighing 20 stone, added: “I’m weighing about 20 stone at the moment. I’ll probably get down to about, under 19 maybe, for the comeback. Nice and loose and fast.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been away for a while, but I’m back now.

“I’ve had a year out and, if I box in the first quarter, it could be up to 16 months out the ring.

“So, it’s a long time for a man 37 years old, 38 this year. So, let’s see if I’ve still got it!”

When will Tyson Fury fight next?

As mentioned, Fury hasn’t fought since his championship bout against Usyk in December 2024.

But a fight in the first quarter of 2026 has been mooted.

Arslanbek Makhmudov, who beat Dave Allen in his last appearance, has been mentioned as a potential opponent to welcome Fury back to the sport.

Makhmudov won 18 professional fights in a row before being derailed by Agit Kabayel, who stopped him in their 2023 bout.

He suffered another defeat two fights later but has since registered back-to-back wins over Ricardo Brown and the aforementioned Allen.

Whoever Fury fights, it will serve as a tune-up before going into a potential showdown against Joshua or Usyk.

Tyson Fury reveals real reason he decided to make retirement U-turn after training return

Tyson Fury has insisted he isn’t returning to boxing for money but simply for his love of fighting.

The ‘Gypsy King’ retired yet again after two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, which were the only ones he has suffered in his professional career.

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Many expected that Fury would indeed return, having indicated on multiple occasions he is interested in a comeback which could include a trilogy with the Ukrainian.

He has recently confirmed for certain that he will be returning in 2026 and has a short-list of potential opponents which also include Fabio Wardley and Anthony Joshua.

And he has even made a full return to training, and has recently been sparring Kevin Lerena.

The 37-year-old has previously suggested he is motivated by the prospect of lucrative paydays as opposed to chasing after world titles.

But in a new video explaining his decision to make a U-turn, Fury has reaffirmed his passion for the sport is his motivating factor.

He said: “I have literally won everything from regional belts in England to super world titles, fighter of the year twice.

“Every world title I have fought for, and for me there is nothing else other than the fight game. I love this fight game. There is nothing in it for financial gain.

“I could have retired 10 years ago. I’ve made an absolute fortune. It’s not about the money, although, I always want a good deal for sure. It’s mainly about the love of the fight game and the sport.

“I’m 37, I’m 38 this year, I am older than a motherf*****, but I love to fight. I have zero other interests, only fighting.

“I was born and raised to fight My destiny lies within the fight game. And at the end of it all, I’ll be punching like a motherf*****, and I’ll probably be ending up in a wheelchair like the rest of them all.

“Punched to death, don’t know if it’s Tuesday, Wednesday or December, but it’s the game I chose, it’s the life we chose. This is the life I chose! We ain’t stopping. We ain’t f***ing leaving.”

Fury has indeed previously attracted concerns for explaining his reasons for still competing, facing a common problem boxers face when hanging up their gloves.

It is an addictive lifestyle that he isn’t ready to leave behind, and the gifted giant believes he has more in the tank to return to the top of the heavyweight division.

Who could Fury face when he returns?

Fury appears to have three leading contenders for his big fight return, as he seeks a route back to world titles.

The most likely option seemed to be Joshua after his victory over Jake Paul, with the framework of a deal already in place for 2026.

But according to AJ’s uncle, his long-term future is in doubt after he was involved in a car accident in Nigeria.

Fury has named Wardley as a leading option, even though it would likely take place after an early warm up fight in 2026.

And the Suffolk native is certainly open to defending his title against the former champion.

He told Sky Sports: “It was good because he was already on mine [hit-list]. It makes no difference to me.

“Look, it’s something I’d be really keen for because I’m not shying away from big fights. I haven’t got a world title just to take easy fights and hold onto it, and hide away with it.

“I think being open [to negotiations] might be a bit of an understatement. I’d be extremely keen to see if he’s genuine about it or not.

“He may be looking at it like it might be an easy touch for him to roll out of retirement, come into a fight, pick up a world title and go on to bigger things, but as fighters of late have found out, I’m quite the banana skin.”

Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has announced his return to boxing to end his latest retirement after over a year out of the ring.

The 37-year-old most recently hung up his gloves in January 2025 following a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk a month prior but has promised a 2026 return in his latest Instagram post.

His news of his retirement decision was met with scepticism due to Fury’s history of changing his mind after he previously stepped away from the ring following a victory over Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return six months later. Similar situations occurred in November 2013 and July 2017, with the Brit returning to the ring on both occasions.

Fury is Back in Training Ahead of His Boxing Comeback

READ: Why Tyson Fury was Torn Apart by Boxing Fans as New Training

Fury had sparked speculation over a comeback after posting footage of himself with South African boxer Kevin Lerena in Thailand. Fan reaction to the sparring clips was not positive, but that hasn’t stopped Tyson pressing ahead with plans for a return.

The Gypsy King posted a training montage with the caption: “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 & get paid for it.”

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Fury has enjoyed two reigns as heavyweight champion and flaunts a professional record of 34 wins, two losses (both to Usyk), and one draw to Deontay Wilder.

He has previously spoken about his eagerness to avenge his defeats to Usyk with a possible trilogy on the cards. However, the Ukrainian has expressed his desire to defend his titles against Wilder instead.

Tyson Fury’s Planned Return Date Revealed

With Fury’s last three fights taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a comeback at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been discussed and a long-overdue bout between him and Anthony Joshua had been rumoured for September. However, Joshua’s immediate fighting future appears to be on hold following the fatal car crash in Nigeria which tragically took the lives of two of his closest friends.

While there has been no update on plans for a Fury vs Joshua showdown, Saudi Arabian boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh has already earmarked April as his preferred date for Tyson’s return to the ring, according to a report from The Sun.

Given that he will have been out of action for nearly 18 months at that point, it is not expected that Fury will face off with a major name in his comeback bout.

Whoever he steps into the ring with, though, the contest is likely to be more about getting rid of ring rust than achieving elite performance. After so long away, Fury will no doubt be keen to put on a show regardless of who he faces.