Tyson Fury's return to boxing after a 15-month hiatus has reignited speculation about the future of the heavyweight division, with the British fighter immediately targeting a long-awaited clash against Anthony Joshua.
Fury, 37, secured a decisive victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, winning comfortably on all judges' scorecards. The win marks his first fight since two consecutive losses to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk—the only defeats of his professional career.
Immediately following the bout, Fury took to the microphone to challenge Joshua, who was ringside for the event.
"I challenge you, Anthony Joshua, to fight me next. Do you accept?" Fury announced to the crowd.
Joshua responded by calling Fury a "clout chaser" and declined to commit to the matchup, saying, "You aren't going to tell me what to do—I've been chasing you for 10 years."
Despite the public exchange, negotiations are reportedly underway for a potential September showdown at Dublin's Croke Park, though no official confirmation has been made. Joshua last fought in December against Jake Paul, leaving open the possibility he might seek a warm-up bout before facing Fury.
Meanwhile, champion Oleksandr Usyk prepares to defend his WBC title against former kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven on May 23 in Egypt. Verhoeven, 36, hasn't boxed professionally since 2014, while Usyk remains undefeated through 24 professional fights.
Should Usyk retain his title, his future plans remain uncertain. He recently vacated his WBO belt rather than face mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley, suggesting he may relinquish other titles to avoid mandatory defenses.
The heavyweight landscape now features multiple compelling storylines: whether Fury and Joshua will finally meet in the ring, how Usyk will navigate his championship reign, and what opportunities emerge for rising contenders in a division suddenly buzzing with renewed energy.