Fury vs Makhmudov: Don’t call it a comeback for ‘The Gypsy King’

Two-time heavyweight champion Tyson Fury takes on towering Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov this Saturday, April 9. ‘The Gypsy King’ returns from ‘retirement’ for this bout, though seasoned boxing fans know this is just his pet name for the months between his fights. The bout takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a glittering undercard featuring Conor Benn, Richard Riakporhe and Frazer Clarke.

The action will be broadcast live on Netflix. Read on for my Fury vs Makhmudov predictions as the boxing world casts its collective eye on North London.

Fury vs Makhmudov Odds

Tyson is a hefty 1/6 favourite to prevail in the capital. Makhmudov is priced at 9/2 to do something only heavyweight kingpin Oleksandr Usyk has ever done; beat Fury in a pro fight. 

The draw is marketed at 18/1. The Russian has never shared the spoils before. But Fury’s most famous fight saw him climb off the canvas dramatically in the 12th round to draw with Deontay Wilder in their 2018 WBC title classic.

Fury vs Makhmudov Fight Preview

Fury retired in the wake of his December 2024 defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, the same man who had relieved him of his WBC belt in a blockbuster undisputed title showdown seven months before. 

On the face of it, Fury’s withdrawal from the gloved game was understandable. The Manchester giant had beaten any and all comers in a glittering career that took in historic wins over Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko, stoppage victories over British hardmen like Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora and points wins over contenders like Otto Wallin and MMA refugees like Francis Ngannou.

But anyone who has a cursory interest in boxing knows that Fury retires all the time. The great Sugar Ray Leonard retired from the ring a whopping five times during his legendary career. While ‘The Gypsy King’ will not quite reach the pound-for-pound echelons the American managed, he has surpassed the Sugar Man in one metric. Fury called it quits for the sixth time after Usyk’s rematch win over him.

As always with Fury, you take anything he says with a pinch of salt. He once told me in an interview during his WBC title reign that becoming undisputed champion did not matter to him, calling his green-and-gold belt “the Daddy”. During the same round of interviews, Fury told another journalist that becoming undisputed champion meant everything to him. An engaging and ebullient talker, you do get the idea that the 37-year-old just says whatever comes into his head in the moment.

Which is why nobody is surprised at Tyson’s ‘comeback’ here, if you can even call it that. The opponent is not much of a surprise either. So unsurprising in fact that, even during Fury’s supposed retirement, I asked Makhmudov what he thought about facing Fury. 

While Fury is rightfully a big favorite, you can’t scoff at Makhmudov as an opponent. Sure, the Russian looked limited against Guido Vianello and outmatched versus Agit Kabayel in his two defeats. But Arslanbek has just enhanced his profile with a comprehensive beatdown of British folk hero Dave Allen. ‘The Lion’ has finished 19 of his 21 wins inside the distance. Ten of those knockouts came in the first round.

The upside is easy to see for all involved. Makhmudov gets a career-highest payday against a fighter who has been on the shelf for 17 months and never had the best chin to begin with. Fury faces a foe who is levels below him on a technical level but who also resides in the world rankings. Netflix get to market a murderous power-puncher against a genuine mainstream superstar. It’s an easy sell for the streamer, the fighters and the fans. 

It has the same intoxicating air as last weekend’s Wilder vs Chisora throwdown. That feeling of anything-can-happen, precipice-teetering that only the heavyweight division provides. Sure, Fury won’t thank me for grouping him with two of his old foes, particularly given Deontay and Derek are in their 40s now. 

But this fight is step one in proving that ‘The Gypsy King’ doesn’t belong alongside those men in boxing’s retirement home. Even if Fury does keep threatening to enter the institution voluntarily.

Fury vs Makhmudov Full Card

Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov

Jeamie Tshikeva vs Richard Riakporhe

Conor Benn vs Regis Prograis

Justis Huni vs Frazer Clarke

Breyon Gorham vs Eduardo Costa Do Nascimento

Felix Cash vs Liam O'Hare

Simon Zachenhuber vs Pawel August

Mikie Tallon vs Leandro Jose Blanc

Elliot Whale vs Tom Hill

Sultan Almohammed vs Hector Avila Lozano

Francis Gorman vs Ryan Labourn

Fury vs Makhmudov Prediction

Fury moves too well and knows too much for Makhmudov. The Russian is powerful, but robotic. ‘The Gypsy King’ has proven he can be lethal against fighters who move towards him, straight-backed and simple. 

Makhmudov will look for that one history-making haymaker. But it takes more than one punch to put Fury down. Ngannou, Wilder, Steve Cunningham and Neven Pajkic all had moments where they had the big Brit on the canvas. They all watched him get back up to beat them. 

Fury will be too busy and, even with a little ring rust to brush off, will move too well for Makhmudov. I’m backing Tyson to take a points win at 16/5.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.