Tyson Fury Focuses on Upcoming Fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov Amid Joshua Bout Discussions

Tyson Fury, with a record of 34-2-1 and 24 knockouts, faces Arslanbek Makhmudov, who has a record of 21-2 and 19 knockouts, on Saturday night. Fury emphasized the need to avoid underestimating Makhmudov, referencing Anthony Joshua's experience. Joshua holds a record of 29-4 with 26 knockouts.

Fury addressed reporters on Thursday in Canary Wharf, where he declined to discuss details of a potential fight with Joshua. Peter McKenna, chief executive of Croke Park stadium, revealed that talks have started for hosting the bout in Dublin. Croke Park has a capacity of more than 80,000 spectators.

An agreement for the Fury-Joshua fight appeared close in December before Joshua took time away from boxing following the death of two close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele, in a car crash in Nigeria. Joshua resumed training and made his first public appearance on Saturday at the O2 Arena, where he attended Derek Chisora's fight against Deontay Wilder.

This appearance raised prospects for a matchup with Fury.

referenced Joshua's 2024 fight against Daniel Dubois, where experts predicted a quick knockout for Joshua, but Dubois won.

Fury used this example to underscore the risks of overlooking opponents. He stated that questions about other heavyweights could wait until after his fight with Makhmudov.

“Well, I don’t want to be mentioning anybody’s name and name dropping when I have got a dangerous heavyweight in front of me in Arslanbek Makhmudov.”

Fury also mentioned that the deaths of Joshua's friends influenced his own decision to reverse retirement, as one must live each day fully before his 38th fight. Key figures at Croke Park indicated plans to include Katie Taylor on the undercard of a potential Fury-Joshua event in Dublin.

McKenna told BBC Sport that there is hope to host Fury at Croke Park later in the year, potentially facilitating a Taylor fight. He noted that agreements from managers and promoters are needed. McKenna expressed confidence that these parties are aligning.

During a face-off, Makhmudov lifted Fury in the air in a friendly gesture. Later on Thursday, Fury spoke on Ring’s YouTube channel about focusing on Makhmudov, followed by Joshua, and possibly a third fight with Oleksandr Usyk. The stakes involve high-profile heavyweight matchups, affecting fighters' careers and boxing event planning in major venues.