Tyson Fury has declared his intention to step back into the ring this year, ending his brief retirement at the age of 37 - and a surprise fighter is in his sights if Anthony Joshua retires.
The Morecambe fighter, who stepped away from boxing last January following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, confirmed his comeback via social media on Sunday.
"2026 is that year. Return of the mac," Fury wrote on Instagram. "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 former two-time heavyweight world champion is currently preparing in Thailand, sharing regular training footage with his followers.
Tyson Fury is set to return to boxing this year
|PA
He has been working alongside WBC bridgerweight champion Kevin Lerena, noting in a recent clip that he feels "sharper, faster, more ready" heading into his second week of training.
A long-anticipated clash with Anthony Joshua now hangs in the balance following the 36-year-old's involvement in a devastating car accident in Nigeria on Monday, which claimed the lives of two close friends and team members.
Fury's promoter Frank Warren told The Mirror that boxing would "certainly be the last thing on his [Joshua's] mind, right now."
"He's obviously lost two team members who were good, close friends who are now no longer with us, so that will be a big loss to him," Warren added.
The Warren-promoted fighter has indicated his willingness to face WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley should the Joshua bout fail to materialise.
"Big smoke for the GK after a long lay off could be an option for later in 2026. God willing," Fury posted on social media.
Fabio Wardley could be Tyson Fury's next opponent
| PAWardley secured his championship status in impressive fashion, stopping Joseph Parker in the eleventh round last October to claim the WBO interim belt.
The Ipswich fighter was subsequently elevated to full champion after Usyk relinquished the title merely weeks later.
Warren has suggested any potential meeting between Fury and Joshua may not occur until late 2026, if at all.
Anthony Joshua narrowly avoided death in the fatal Nigeria car crash after switching seats moments before the crash | REUTERSBritish boxing fans have long yearned for a Fury-Joshua showdown, with the pair having agreed terms for a bout in August 2021 when they collectively held all major heavyweight belts.
That encounter was derailed when an arbitration ruling compelled Fury to complete his trilogy against Deontay Wilder.
The self-styled Gypsy King has form for reversing retirement decisions, having previously announced his departure from the sport after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return months later.
A long-anticipated all-British showdown between Fury and Anthony Joshua had appeared to be moving closer | GETTYShould Joshua prove unavailable, a third meeting with Usyk presents another avenue for Fury, with victory over either the Ukrainian or Wardley potentially elevating him alongside Muhammad Ali as a three-time world heavyweight champion.