Tyson Fury has declared he will step back into the ring this year, approximately 12 months after walking away from professional boxing.
The 37-year-old heavyweight confirmed his comeback on Instagram on Sunday, posting alongside training footage filmed in Thailand with WBC bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena.
Fury wrote: "2026 is that year. Return of the mac. Been away for a while but I'm back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it."
The self-styled Gypsy King retired in January 2025 following consecutive points defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, with the second loss coming in December 2024.
Few in the boxing world took Fury's retirement announcement seriously at the time, given his track record of reversing such decisions.
He had previously declared his career over after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return to action later that same year.
Fury's professional record stands at 34 victories from 37 bouts, with Usyk being the sole fighter to have beaten him.
The Ukrainian inflicted both defeats in closely contested points decisions.
Tyson Fury has declared he will step back into the ring this year, approximately 12 months after walking away from professional boxing
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Following the second Usyk loss, Fury expressed his frustration at the judges' scoring, remarking in his retirement video: "I'm going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask."
Despite claiming in June that he would "never" return, the two-time world heavyweight champion had fuelled comeback speculation by sharing training clips over the festive period.
A long-anticipated all-British showdown between Fury and Anthony Joshua had appeared to be moving closer, with both camps reportedly holding positive discussions about a potential summer clash.
However, those plans have been thrown into serious doubt following a fatal car accident in Nigeria on Monday that claimed the lives of two members of Joshua's inner circle.
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Five things to know about Tyson Fury | PA/GETTYSina Ghami, Joshua's strength coach, and personal trainer Latif "Latz" Ayodele died in the crash, which also left the 36-year-old former champion hospitalised.
Joshua, who returned to London Stansted Airport on Friday night, posted a tribute on social media on Sunday captioned "My Brothers Keeper," showing him seated with family members holding a photograph of Ghami.
The funerals of Ghami and Ayodele are taking place today at a mosque in London.
Fury's promoter Frank Warren told ITV News the situation had created profound uncertainty around Joshua's future in the sport.
A long-anticipated all-British showdown between Fury and Anthony Joshua had appeared to be moving closer
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Warren said: "This is an awful time for everyone involved and hopefully AJ has come out of it physically well. But mentally is another issue. I don't even know if he'll have the appetite to fight again or if he will fight again, that is something that only time will tell."
Fury, along with his father John, offered condolences to Joshua following the accident.
Should Joshua prove unavailable, Fury could pursue a trilogy bout against Usyk, who holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, or face WBO champion Fabio Wardley.
Victory in either contest would see Fury match Muhammad Ali as a three-time world heavyweight champion.
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