Tyson Fury has never been short of confidence and he maintains that he is still capable of doing big things in the heavyweight division.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Fury suggested he has the tools to deal with a dangerous Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday and will be ready to face long-term British rival Anthony Joshua later in the year.

Tyson Fury's body is always a hot topic in fight week. The boxing giant has never had the ripped abs or muscles of his counterparts, but it's never done him any harm.

We have the first pictures of what kind of shape Fury is in. After so long on the sidelines, will his body be able to stand up to the rigours of a fight?

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Bunce is back with another fight week podcast and it's well worth a listen.

There are no shortage of big names for you to hear from - Tyson Fury, Conor Benn and retired world champion David Haye.

Sit back and enjoy!

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Conor Benn spent 2025 on a side mission - wrapping up his rivalry with Chris Eubank Jr with a victory in November.

Benn jumped up two weight divisions to ensure both bouts with Eubank happened and is ready to start campaigning back at his traditional welterweight in the future as he looks to move closer to a world title shot.

The Briton has his sights set on WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia if he comes through Saturday's meeting with Regis Prograis successfully.

Garcia won the title in February after two previous failed attempts following his return from a one-year suspension for doping.

"I think Garcia's good for the sport of boxing, I think he's a character and he's entertaining, but he's also a liability," Benn, who served his own doping ban, told BBC Sport.

"Garcia was next, that was scheduled in - I am mandatory number one position for Garcia.

"Now if you're me, do you wait out until September or do you take a potential banana skin in the middle? I like rolling the dice and having a little bit of fun and keeping active."

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Is the British public a little closer to finally getting to see Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in a ring together?

Boxing has a cruel way of stringing fans along with rivalries that stretch across years - even decades in this case - and Fury v Joshua falls firmly in that category.

There's a danger that we get to see feuds settle far too late (check Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao), but it feels like a bout between to two Britons will still scratch the itch, even if they aren't a the peak of their powers.

We're still waiting on news for Joshua's next back, having not fought since beating Jake Paul in December, but Fury certainly seems up for it later this year.

"If it happens, great, if it doesn't happen, also great," Fury told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I've got Arslanbek Makhmudov to think of on Saturday night, but all going well [Joshua is] the fight I want next."

Fabio Wardley
Heavyweight world champion

If Tyson Fury beats Arslan Makhmudov on Saturday, I wouldn't be surprised if he calls me out - and I'd 100% be up for that fight later in the year.

In fact, I was pushing for Fury as an opponent before we announced my upcoming fight with Daniel Dubois.

I was the one saying yes, and he actually was the one that said: "Let me have a little time, I've had a year out, let me have a warm-up."

Of course, the priority for me will always be an undisputed fight against Oleksandr Usyk - I want to test myself against the best in the world - but if Fury does his thing and, God willing, I defend my belt against Daniel Dubois next month, then we can have a conversation.

I never actually expected Fury to stay retired. It's great to have him back, active, posting on Instagram, doing his shout-outs and whatever he does.

I didn't really feel like he was gone, more that he was just taking a break, as he does. When he said he was retired, I thought: "We'll see you in a year."

Lennox Lewis
Heavyweight legend on Netflix

Tyson is ready and he is ready to go. Makhmudov was definitely on his phone and he wasn't paying him attention. For me, he shouldn't be on his phone. This is the most important fight of his career. I would never have been on my phone.

Time for the face-off.

Tyson Fury tickled Arslanbek Makhmudov when they met at a news conference earlier in the year.

Ah.

This time it's Makhmudov who breaks any potential tension by wrapping his arms around Fury and picks him up.

That takes some strength.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Tyson Fury wraps up with one final sell:

"I bring the biggest and baddest shows to live television. It's a travelling show. It is a travelling circus wherever I go."

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Staying on the topic of a possible super-fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, talks are under way to stage the long-awaited bout at Croke Park in Dublin.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Croke Park stadium chief executive Peter McKenna said the pair could meet in September and that could also mean Katie Taylor finally gets to realise her dream of fighting in the 80,000-seat stadium.

"The real hope is that we will get Tyson Fury here later on in the year. That would be such a world-billing event that we would be able to facilitate a Katie Taylor fight here," McKenna said.

"A lot of stars need to align. Katie's manager needs to agree, Katie's promoter needs to agree, Tyson Fury's promoter needs to agree.

"I am very confident that all three are coming to the sense that this is one of Ireland's greatest sporting athletes and it would be such a 'wow' to have her here and for her to finish her career here."

Read full story on potential Dublin bout.

Tyson Fury on who could be next amid rumours he will fight Anthony Joshua later this year:

"I don't want to mention names when I've got a dangerous fighter in front of me.

"The rest can get a hiding but I need to give Makhmudov a hiding first.

"I'm not going to go there yet. Come Sunday you can ask all the questions about any other heavyweight but for now give this man his respect.

"When AJ fought Dubois everyone thought he would win but he got knocked out. Everyone had been asking him who he was fighting next."

Tyson Fury:

"It has been four years since I've been boxing in the UK. I've been out in Saudi Arabia but to come back to England and fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - let's hope I do better than Tottenham because they've been rubbish recently.

"Unbelievable experience to have 60-to-70 thousand fans cheering for you. Makhmudov has never been in that deep water before. His legs might go before he gets to the ring. It is a sombre experience."

Tyson Fury on whether Arslanbek Makhmudov is ready to fight on the big stage:

"Only one way to find out. Lots of guessing but tune in on Saturday to find out.

"He is a quick starter. I better be on form."

Tyson Fury on what version of him we will see:

"Speedy, skilful, handsome and destructive.

"I've never lost my speed of reactions. I've still got it. 100%. I'm looking for as good a performance as it can be after 16 months out.

"I must have done 500 rounds of sparring to prepare.

"The boys [training camp team] can testify that."

Image source, PA Media

On and on and on goes Tyson Fury.

Arslanbek Makhmudov has had enough. He's looking at his phone.

Maybe he's on ChatGPT fact-checking whether Fury is the first person in history to fight at six successive stadium shows.

Tyson Fury:

"Sooner or later these so called alphabetical world champions are going to have to fight me. They will be hunted and destroyed. Who will they face for money? I'm the money man.

"Whoever has the belts will be on their knees begging me by the end of the year. This is my sixth stadium fight back-to-back. Who has done that before? Chat GPT said no one.

"I am going to make an example of him. He [Makhmudov] is a big six-foot-seven lump. I will knock his head right off his two shoulders. He is fighting the great Tyson Fury.

"People fight in arenas but not in six stadiums back to back. Obviously, I am the top man in this division. I am going to prove it again, again and again."

*this is not Fury's sixth stadium fight in a row after successive bouts in Saudi Arabia at the Kingdom Arena

Image source, Getty Images

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at The Pelligon, London

One of the more curious storylines around this fight is Tyson Fury’s training situation.

The two-time heavyweight champion has said he is effectively training himself for this bout. Whether that is strictly true remains to be seen.

In boxing, even the most experienced fighters rely heavily on the guidance of a trusted voice in the corner. If things begin to go wrong under the lights, someone needs to be there to steady the ship.

Sugarhill Steward has been in Fury's corner in recent fights and he was spotted in Thailand with Fury during the training camp.

So one question hanging over today’s news conference is simple - who will actually be in Fury’s corner on fight night?

Trainer SugarHill Steward is with Tyson Fury today but the Briton insists he is training himself for this fight.

There are questions raised about videos of the pair working together in Thailand but he's says it's not what we think:

"I am happy. I don't know if it's because I've been away from my wife and kids for 16 weeks - and that wouldn't be good - or it's because I'm back in boxing again.

"Thailand is great for getting my weight down. I ate good food and it was a great experience."

Tyson Fury is ever the showman. Put a microphone in front of that man and he'll talk your ears off.

Tyson Fury:

"People always question retirement for me. I've retired five times before and meant it wholeheartedly. I've come back four times successfully and we'll see if it's five.

"Make no mistake when I retire I have zero intention of returning but I miss the game. However, after a few months I am bored of the normal life. Dropping the kids off at school, taking the dogs for a walk, that kind of stuff. I miss everything that comes with big fights.

"This time there were a couple of defining moments and one of them was Anthony Joshua's crash in Nigeria. I thought life is very short. When things like that happen it certifies tomorrow is not guaranteed.

"You have got to live every day like it is your last and enjoy. I thought to myself I still have got love for this game and I know I can still do it, so that is why I am coming back."

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