Tyson Fury returns to boxing to beat Arslanbek Makhmudov as mega-fight with Anthony Joshua looms later this year

Tyson Fury returned to boxing to beat Arslanbek Makmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

He secured a wide unanimous decision over Makhmudov, with Anthony Joshua, his great rival, watching intently from ringside.

Fury had retired from the sport for 16 months after two losses to reigning world champion Oleksandr Usyk, but elected to make a comeback and selected the strong but predictable Makhmudov to be his opponent.

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In his first contest in a British ring since 2022, Fury made his entrance with an emotional tribute to his great friend Ricky Hatton, the British boxing legend who died last year.

He played out Hatton's signature Blue Moon music and wore shorts in the style of Hatton's.

But the sombre arrival erupted into ecstatic cheers as fireworks and flames burst around Fury as he stood before the stadium crowd on a raised platform. Fury danced, grinned and fed off that energy. He is 37 years old, he knows he can't fight forever but with a reception like this no wonder he couldn't leave boxing behind.

To add to the heady cocktail of the occasion, Joshua was waiting in the wings. Earlier in the evening Saudi financier Turki Alalshikh, who was staging the event, teased that "the biggest fight in the history of England" between pair was on the brink of being made.

Fury was fighting to prolong his career and to snare potentially the richest prize of his whole career later this year.

Makhmudov though is known for being dangerous early on in a fight. He charged into Fury from the opening bell. With Fury moving back in straight lines, he allowed Makhmudov to barrel him into the ropes.

The Russian swept down his right on Fury, threatening early in the fight. These were frantic and clumsy rushes, but they meant Fury needed to take his measure and establish control.

In the second round Makhmudov wandered out of position after a wild attack and Fury smacked punches into him to trigger a huge roar from the crowd. He thumped in another punch to get another cheer, leaving Makhmudov shrugging his head and neck to shake off the effects of it at the end of the session.

In the third round Fury lashed down a one-two. With a fierce jab the former champion moved onto the front foot. Fury landed his right hook as Makhmudov hurled a punch himself, and momentarily the Russian's legs appeared to buckle beneath him. Fury allowed himself a smile as he leant on to him.

In the fourth round Makhmudov caught Fury with his left. Lunging at Fury, Makhmudov stranded himself on the ropes. With his prey out of position, Fury lined up a crunching right cross that slammed into the side of Makhmudov's head.

They touched gloves as they moved into the second half of the contest. Fury had found the measure of his man.

Makhmudov trundled forward as Fury marked him out with reliable left jabs. The big men slammed together in clinches on occasion with Fury effective on the inside. He bounced Makhmudov's jaw aside with a tight left hook.

Fury picked out a long lead hook and pressed his opponent back in the eighth round but didn't rush himself.

They traded fiercely at the end of the 10th round and Makhmudov wearily lost his footing to slip down to the canvas. Just before the bell Fury shook up Makhmudov with a right then a left hook to the chin.

In the 11th Fury switched southpaw momentarily. He flapped his jab into Makhmudov but then attacked the body before bringing an uppercut through to the head. He turned Makhmudov into a corner but couldn't find a finishing touch.

A hard left hook from Fury, from the southpaw stance, prompted another gasp from the crowd. But Makhmudov lasted the course with Fury almost scoring a shut out win, 120-108 on two cards and 119-109 on the third.

'Do you accept my challenge?'

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No sooner was the decision announced than Fury called out Joshua directly.

In his booming voice Fury declared to the entire stadium: "Next, I want to give you the fight you've all been waiting for."

He bellowed down to his rival: "I want you, AJ, Anthony Joshua. Let's give the fight fans what they want - the Battle of Britain. I challenge you Anthony Joshua to fight me the Gypsy King next.

"Do you accept my challenge?"

Joshua replied: "Tyson, you are a clout-chaser. I've never had no problem getting in a ring with you, I punched you up as kids [when they sparred]. Watching you tonight I'll punch you up again.

"With all due respect, tonight is your night. You won't tell me what to do. I've been chasing you the last 10 years, when you're ready you come and see me and tell me your terms and conditions.

"I'm the boss, you work for me. I'm the landlord. You work for me."