BOXING

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The former unified welterweight champion says lifestyle changes helped mentally and physically rebuild him ahead of the Tim Tszyu fight

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Tyson Fury has stated his intention to fight long-term rival Anthony Joshua following his heavyweight comeback against Arslanbek Makhmudov this Saturday. The 37-year-old will face the Russian at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in his first bout in 16 months, marking his return from a fifth retirement. Although a match between the two British stars has been delayed for years, there is fresh optimism that they could finally meet later in 2026.

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Super-featherweight boxer John Cooney, 28, has died following his defeat by Nathan Howells in Belfast last Saturday. The Irish boxer suffered an intracranial haemorrhage after the bout at Ulster Hall and underwent surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. Cooney, from Galway, was assessed by the medical team in the ring before being taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

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Tyson Fury has confirmed he is returning to professional boxing in 2026, a year after stepping away from the sport for the fifth time.

The former heavyweight champion announced his decision on Instagram, ending months of speculation after sharing training clips over the festive period.

“2026 is that year. Return of the mac,” Fury wrote. “Been away for a while but im back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face & get paid for it.”

Fury retired in January 2025, a month after suffering his second consecutive points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, who beat him twice in 2024 in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh as the Brit failed in his bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis.

Despite those losses, Fury boasts a 34-2-1 record and is a two-time world champion, having defeated Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder in 2020.

The 37-year-old has a long history of retirements and comebacks, having previously stepped away from boxing in 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2022, each time returning to the ring months later.

A potential third fight with Usyk would still draw huge interest, while a long-awaited all-British clash with Anthony Joshua had been targeted for 2026. That bout is now uncertain following a recent car crash involving Joshua that killed two close members of his team.

Speaking on the situation, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said Joshua’s future in the sport was unclear.

“This is an awful time for everyone involved,” Warren said. “I don’t even know if he will ever have the appetite to fight again or if he will ever fight again, that is something that only time will tell.”

Fury also sent his condolences to Joshua after the crash, writing on social media: “This is so sad. May God give them a good bed in heaven.”

With his latest announcement, Fury now appears set on another comeback, aiming to become a three-time heavyweight world champion.

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Floyd Mayweather Jr. recorded a spectacular win against John Gotti in the ring of the Arena Ciudad de Mexico, in the Mexican capital. The fans in attendance were not convinced though. The fight was an eight-round exhibition fight fight with no judges.