Tyson Fury vs Aslanbek Makhmudov winner set to get high world ranking, says WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman
Tyson Fury stepped away from the sport in 2025 but will return to boxing on April 11 when he fights Arslanbek Makhmudov in the UK; WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman explains why the Fury vs Makhmudov winner will "absolutely" merit a high world ranking
Thursday 29 January 2026 08:27, UK
The winner of Tyson Fury’s fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov will receive a high world ranking, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed.
At the start of 2025 former world champion Fury announced that he would retire. He sat out the whole of last year but has decided to come back.
He is now set to fight heavyweight contender Makhmudov on April 11 in the UK.
"As a former champion, he has rights and privileges and absolutely I am sure the winner will be highly ranked in the WBC," Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
- Tyson Fury's comeback fight confirmed for April
- Fury returns! Why he's coming back and where it could lead
- Not got Sky? Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW
"[Makhmudov] was a WBC International and Silver champion, he's solid, strong. To come back from a long layoff out the ring, it's an interesting challenge for Fury."
The WBC president welcomed this comeback. "Tyson Fury is Tyson Fury. He's a sensational ambassador for boxing, great fighter, he has a tremendous following and I'm very excited," Sulaiman said.
"His life without boxing is not the same and it's going to be a good solid challenge to see him back in boxing and I'm very happy for him."
Although Fury is now 37 years old and has been a professional fighter since 2008, Sulaiman thinks he can still have a long run in the sport.
"Tyson has never been hurt. He's always in shape, always focused. I think there's Tyson Fury [in boxing] for a long while," the WBC president said.
"In boxing and outside of boxing, to have overcome the huge difficulties he faced, in addictions, he defeated that. He came back and became champion, knocking out [Deontay] Wilder, then had a great run as a champion, motivating and influencing so many people around the world.
"It is just an unbelievable story and he's someone that represents the best of boxing."
