Gypsy King calls out Anthony Joshua after easy comeback win

Tyson Fury was victorious on his latest return to boxing as he totally outclassed Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

It was 16 months since we last saw the self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ in action, when he was outpointed for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh and subsequently lamented what he saw as an injustice before promptly retiring from the sport again.

But that was only ever thought to be another temporary measure and Fury is now firmly back once more, looking to finally tee up a long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua at long last.

The former two-time world heavyweight champion made light work of Makhmudov before throwing down the challenge to Joshua at ringside as the two men traded insults.

Before that we saw Conor Benn , who fought under the Zuffa Boxing banner having split from Matchroom and Eddie Hearn as he outpointed Regis Prograis in a catchweight bout in his first outing since that rematch win over arch-rival Chris Eubank Jr.

Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva lost his British heavyweight belt to Richard Riakporhe in a fifth-round stoppage after Frazer Clarke was defeated by Justis Huni via majority decision.

Follow Fury vs Makhmudov live below!

Joshua would not really commit to the fight during his exchange with Fury there, but admits in a follow-up interview with Netflix that it will probably happen.

However, he says there is no deal yet until a contract is presented and signed.

He’s unsure if he will have a tune-up first and says he needs to assess things after the car accident.

Joshua riles up Fury by calling him a ‘clout chaser’ and refusing to engage in these WWE-style theatrics.

Both men claim they are the “boss” and the A-side in this fight.

Joshua seems a bit bored by the whole thing.

Turki Alalshikh is in the ring and wants to get a commitment from all parties on Fury-Joshua, but Hearn and Warren won’t get in the ring.

Fury is now throwing down the challenge to Joshua, who is giving him a fearsome stare back from ringside.

Fury eases to wide points win over Makhmudov
Fury eases to a unanimous decision win on his comeback.

Joshua is up from ringside and Fury is beckoning him into the ring.

A completely one-sided bout draws to a tame close.

Far from vintage Tyson Fury, but he was totally dominant from the second round onwards against an overmatched opponent who had nothing to offer after his early aggression quickly and predictably petered out.

How wide will these scorecards be?

A totally outclassed Makhmudov has been in survival mode for a long time here.

His best hope is that he doesn’t get chinned by one of these uppercuts.

He just wants that final bell as a confident Fury continues in his rhythm, doling out the punishment.

Makhmudov is on his knee in the 10th but he was pushed down.

His mouthguard also comes out for the second time in as many rounds.

A couple of fizzing uppercuts from a completely dominant Fury just miss the mark.

He’s been clipped a few times, but nothing to unduly faze him.

“It’s time to finish this s**t up,” Steward says to Fury in the corner before the penultimate round.

Fury has been in total and utter control of this thoroughly one-sided fight since round 2.

He’s picking his shots very well, showing a great variety and punishing Makhmudov, whose legs have buckled a few times but he’s a tough man and still upright.

You do feel like one of these spiteful Fury uppercuts is going to cause him serious problems sooner rather than later.

The head movement is non-existent.

Makhmudov is buzzed in the eighth as Fury rattles in some big shots, including a thundering short hook and a few vicious uppercuts.

He’s landed 106 punches to just 44 from Makhmudov so far.

SugarHill Steward is still training Fury by the way, despite the latter’s claim that he was now training himself.

A familiar story in the seventh.

Some eye-catching, clever shots from Fury, who continues to prove by far the more skilful and cleverer fighter.

Makhmudov has perhaps not exhausted himself quite as quickly as you’d have expected after that aggressive start, but he’s so one-paced with only one method of attack that hasn’t come close to working all night.

Fury showing some decent variety now.