Tyson Fury was returning to the ring after a 16-month lay-off to face the giant Russian Arslanbek Makhmudov with a fight against Anthony Joshua the prize
Tyson Fury takes on Arslanbek Makhmudov
Tyson Fury cruised to victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in front of rival Anthony Joshua.
Fury was returning after a 16-month retirement and looked far from his best despite dominating the fight. The former two-time heavyweight world champion rarely had his Russian rival in trouble as he settled for a points win. All three judges gave Fury the nod, by scores of 120-108, 120-108 and 119-109. “Sixteen months out, it’s a long time, but I got back to my boxing and I got a good, sharp 12 rounds there,” Fury said afterwards.
“I got 12 rounds against a tough opponent, a knockout specialist. That is better than a one rounder against a bum. I just took out the No.5 contender in the world with ease.” Fury then called out Anthony Joshua but his rival refused to enter the ring and was unwilling to agree to a fight on the spot.
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Fury paid tribute to Ricky Hatton as he made his ring walk, and wore gloves and shorts emblazoned with the former world champion’s name. Makhmudov had a reputation as a fast starter and landed the first right hand of the fight inside the opening 30 seconds. Fury finally began to pop out his jab but it was a slow start from the former champion.
Fury made a brighter start to the second round as he began to read the predictable Russian. An uppercut was followed by a right hook towards the end of the session to bring the crowd to life. Fury was still far from his fluent best but was nullifying the threat from Makhmudov. But the visitor landed a left hand early in the fourth to remind Fury of the danger he carried. Fury shipped a hook from the same hand before landing a right of his own.
The 50,000-strong crowd began to grow restless in the fifth round as the heavyweights hugged instead of trading. Makhmudov looked one-dimensional by the halfway stage as Fury toyed with his opponent.
Fury took a right hand clean in the seventh having landed an uppercut of his own. And the Brit was finding a home for that shot in the eighth before a left hand momentarily stunned Makhmudov.
Fury was in control of the fight but looking a long way from his best. Makhmudov, meanwhile, looked a spent force was content to hold on by the 10th round. Fury did land a left-right flush on the bell but this had long been heading for the judges.
Fury had targeted Makhmudov’s body all night and switched downstairs again in the penultimate round. Fury shipped a right hand early in the final stanza but dominated the remainder.
Earlier, Conor Benn had to settle for a points win over Regis Prograis as he returned to the ring following his shock split from Eddie Hearn. Benn dumped Hearn, who was ringside, to join Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing outfit in a £10million one-fight deal earlier this year. Benn wobbled Prograis at the end of the round one with the American appearing to be carrying a leg injury following speculation he would pull out of the fight hurt.
Benn, who was returning to the scene of his two fights with Chris Eubank Jr last year, came under pressure in the middle rounds and suffered cuts over both eyes from headbutts. Former two-time world champion Prograis was under the cosh in the seventh round but clung on to hear the final bell with all three judges giving an unconvincing Benn the nod.
Meanwhile, Richard Riakporhe ended Jeamie TKV’s five-month reign as British heavyweight champion. TKV had won the belt by beating Frazer Clarke last November but was dropped in the fifth round by former cruiserweight Riakporhe. The champion beat the count but the fight was waved off when he came under pressure from another barrage of shots.
Justis Huni eked out a narrow win over Clarke as he bounced back from defeat by Fabio Wardley last summer. Huni dominated the opening stages before Clarke rocked the Aussie with an uppercut in the fourth round. Clarke took advantage to claw himself back into the fight but was ultimately edged out by majority decision.
