{"id":388253,"date":"2026-01-24T16:14:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T16:14:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/388253\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T16:14:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T16:14:07","slug":"tyson-fury-names-the-man-he-wants-to-face-for-big-test-this-year-it-would-be-a-massive-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/388253\/","title":{"rendered":"Tyson Fury names the man he wants to face for ‘big test’ this year: “It would be a massive fight”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tyson Fury<\/a> has confirmed his target for later this year, hoping to deliver a \u2018massive spectacle\u2019 after an expected ring return in April.<\/p>\n

\u2018The Gypsy King\u2019 announced the end of his year-long retirement earlier this month, revealing several social media clips of himself training in Thailand.<\/p>\n

Since then, the 37-year-old\u2019s manager, Spencer Brown, has told Sky Sports that around five or six potential opponents are being explored for his comeback fight<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One of whom is Arslanbek Makhmudov, who comes off a unanimous decision victory over Dave Allen in October<\/a> and has seemingly emerged as a frontrunner to face Fury.<\/p>\n

The Morecambe man, meanwhile, has not fought since his second points defeat to Oleksandr Usyk<\/a> in December 2024, which followed a split decision loss to the Ukrainian earlier that year.<\/p>\n

So now, it would seem that the plan is for Fury to dust off the cobwebs against a comeback opponent, perhaps Makhmudov, before diving back into the deep end of heavyweight competition.<\/p>\n

The matchup that British fans remain desperate to see, it seems, is Fury against Anthony Joshua<\/a>, though \u2018AJ\u2019 is still yet to confirm his future after being involved in a tragic car crash in Nigeria<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, Fury has named WBO titlist Fabio Wardley as his ideal opponent for a \u2018big test\u2019 later this year, hoping to become a three-time world heavyweight champion.<\/p>\n

Taking to Instagram<\/a> earlier today, the 6ft 9in giant insisted that, as long as they come through their respective next assignments, then an all-British showdown with Wardley should represent a genuine possibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cLike I said, let\u2019s see how I am looking in my return fight, then later in 2026 this would be a good option for me to try [and] become [three-time] heavyweight champion.<\/p>\n

\u201c[Wardley] has a hard fight himself coming up soon. I know the fight you guys all want but, at this time, I won\u2019t say his name out of respect, as he is in mourning.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if he is not going to continue in boxing, I\u2019d like Big Fab as a big test. This would be a massive spectacle! 2026 is the year of our lord Jesus Christ.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wardley comes off an 11th-round finish over Joseph Parker in October, after which he was elevated from interim to full WBO champion following Usyk\u2019s decision to relinquish the world title.<\/p>\n