Tyson Fury Announces 2026 Return As Fitness Is Questioned

The post did not include a date, opponent, or promotional details. It was the first time Fury has publicly attached a specific year to a comeback since announcing his retirement in January 2025. His last bout came one month earlier, when he lost a unanimous decision to Oleksandr Usyk in their December 2024 rematch.

Fury suffered two defeats to Usyk in 2024. The first fight was competitive and widely debated. The rematch was more decisive, with Usyk controlling the pace and distance over twelve rounds. Fury entered the bout at 281 pounds and struggled to maintain consistent movement against the lighter champion.

While Fury’s written message was brief, a short video clip posted around the same time drew a lot of attention. Fury appeared shirtless in the clip and noticeably heavier through the midsection, causing widespread criticism from fans on social media. Much of the response questioned his current condition and whether he could realistically prepare for a return in early 2026.

Conditioning has been a recurring issue at various stages of Fury’s career, and the added weight has raised doubts about how quickly he could return to fighting shape after more than a year out of the ring. At 37, the process of dropping weight, restoring timing, and rebuilding stamina is less easy than earlier in his career.

Fury did not mention potential opponents, though a fight with Anthony Joshua has long been discussed as a possibility should Fury return. Joshua remains active, though no talks have been confirmed. A third fight with Usyk has also been mentioned in the past, but there has been no indication of negotiations.

For now, Fury’s announcement stands without structure. No promoter has commented publicly, no event has been scheduled, and no timetable has been outlined. What is clear is that Fury no longer considers himself finished with the sport, even as questions about readiness and conditioning remain unresolved.