Heavyweight boxing icon Tyson Fury is poised to make a sensational return to the ring in 2026, marking his fifth official comeback from retirement, with former champion Carl Frampton attributing the move to one simple factor: an unquenchable love for the sport.
Frampton's Theory on Fury's Unbreakable Bond with Boxing
According to former two-division world champion Carl Frampton, the driving force behind Tyson Fury's latest comeback attempt is pure passion. Frampton offered his insight ahead of the 'Gypsy King's' planned return, suggesting that Fury, who announced his retirement in January 2025 after consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk, simply cannot stay away.
"I think there's no doubt that he loves the sport," Frampton stated in an interview with The Action Network. He pointed to footage of Fury continuing to train even during his brief retirement. "He was always running. He was always hitting bags... I think it's important for him to be active."
Frampton, who retired in 2021, admitted his own mindset differed, as he was "looking out" for an exit. In contrast, he believes Fury genuinely enjoys the gruelling regimen. "I think Tyson's someone that just enjoys that... I have the feeling Tyson Fury will continue to fight while the British Board of Control give him a licence. He just loves it."
Fury's Own Words and 2026 Fight Plans
Fury himself has vehemently denied that financial gain is his primary motivation. In a recent Instagram video, the 37-year-old stated, "I have literally won everything... for me, there is nothing else other than the fight game. I love this fight game." He emphasised, "It's not about the money... It's mainly about the love of the fight game and the sport."
After performing a U-turn on his retirement in July 2025, Fury's plans are now taking shape. He is expected to have a tune-up fight in the first quarter of 2026 before targeting a major summer showdown. Intriguingly, his manager Spencer Brown has revealed Fury could fight three times this year, a schedule he hasn't maintained in eight years.
"He is back loving boxing again," Brown told iFL TV. "He's had a year out, but we are maybe looking at three fights this year for him. He fancies fighting three times, he is in Thailand right now." Fury has been training in Thailand with WBC bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena.
Potential Opponents and a Homecoming Fight
The search for Fury's comeback opponent is underway, with Arslanbek Makhmudov emerging as a frontrunner for the initial tune-up bout. Makhmudov last fought in October 2025, defeating British veteran David Allen.
Brown confirmed the Russian heavyweight is a serious option, noting the need for a realistic first step. "Tyson will fight anybody... But you have to be realistic with Tyson, he's been out for a year. He needs a fight to get his juices flowing first," Brown explained. He also expressed a desire to see Fury return to Manchester for a homecoming fight.
As the boxing world watches, the narrative is clear: for Tyson Fury, retirement is a temporary state. Driven by a deep-seated passion for combat, the Gypsy King's destiny, as he declared, remains firmly "within the fight game."
