Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has confirmed he will return to the ring in 2026.

The 37-year-old Brit hasn’t fought since losing to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, a contest for three of the four major world titles.

Posting on Instagram on Sunday, Fury said: “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.”

Fury had previously announced his retirement after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return later that year. His repeated exits and comebacks have made many skeptical of his latest retirement claim, despite a career boasting 34 wins in 37 fights.

The ‘Gypsy King’ expressed frustration at the judges’ decisions in his losses to Usyk, the only fighter to defeat him. Last year, in his retirement announcement, Fury remarked: “I’m going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask.”

Speculation about a comeback grew over the festive period after Fury shared several clips of himself training on social media.

Fury has long been linked to a potential all-British showdown with former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The pair initially agreed to fight in August 2021, when they collectively held all the major world titles. However, an arbitration ruling forced Fury into a third bout with Deontay Wilder, delaying the Joshua clash.

Plans for tune-up fights in early 2026 had been mooted before a potential face-off later in the year. But Joshua’s recent car crash in Nigeria, which left him injured and resulted in the deaths of two team members, has likely put those plans on hold.

If Joshua is unavailable, Fury could instead pursue a trilogy fight with WBC, WBA, and IBF titlist Usyk or challenge WBO champion Fabio Wardley. A victory over either opponent would see Fury join Muhammad Ali as a three-time world heavyweight champion.