Tyson Fury Credits Anthony Joshua's Tragic Crash as Career Turning Point
Former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has publicly stated that a tragic car crash involving close associates of his long-time rival, Anthony Joshua, served as a major catalyst for his decision to return to professional boxing. The 37-year-old fighter is scheduled to make his highly anticipated comeback on April 11, following a 15-month hiatus from the sport.
Fury's Comeback and the Impact of Tragedy
Fury, who announced his retirement after suffering a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk at the end of 2024, remained inactive for a full year before confirming his return on January 4. His announcement came shortly after Anthony Joshua was involved in a devastating car accident in Nigeria in December, which tragically claimed the lives of two of Joshua's close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.
Speaking on Monday, Fury described this heartbreaking event as a profound moment that reshaped his perspective on life and career. "Tomorrow might never come," Fury emphasized. "The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua. You should never put things off until tomorrow, next week or next year, because tomorrow isn't promised."
Shelved Plans and a Renewed Mission
As a result of this renewed outlook, plans for a long-anticipated bout between Fury and Joshua in 2026 have been shelved. The former two-time world heavyweight champion added that he felt a compelling need to return to the ring not only for personal reasons but also to reignite excitement in the sport of boxing.
"I came back for one reason only — to make boxing great again," Fury declared. "Since I retired for the fifth time over a year ago, boxing has been on a downward slope and it's become quite boring." His comeback fight will see him face Russian-born heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking a significant event in the boxing calendar.
This revelation highlights how personal tragedies can influence professional decisions, underscoring the interconnectedness of life events and athletic careers. Fury's return is poised to inject fresh energy into the heavyweight division, as fans eagerly await his performance after a lengthy absence.
