Tyson Fury has hit back at negative comments about his appearance and insists he will be “loose and fast” after losing over a stone for his long-awaited return to the ring.
Fury has been posting regular video updates on his return to training in Thailand since announcing this month that he plans to return to boxing in 2026, nearly a year after his last retirement from the ring.
But the former world heavyweight champion has issued a defiant response to online critics who have questioned his fitness.
“I’ve had a few comments saying I look a bit goofy, chubby, fat, but welcome to my world, I’ve never been different,” Fury said Instagram live for his 6.7 million followers.
“I beat everything with a fat belly, I’ve never been different, I’ve never made any odds before. Why should today be any?”
“I’m about 20 stone at the moment, I’ll probably get down to under 19 stone for the return, nice, free and fast.”
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been away for a while but now I’m back, I’ve had a year and if I box in the first quarter (of 2026), I could be out for up to 16 months.”
“That’s a long time for a man who’s 37 years old and this year he’s 38. Let’s see if I’ve got any left.”
Following his second loss to heavyweight rival Alexander Usyk for three of his four major world titles in December 2024, Fury confirmed the end of his professional career the following month. However, he announced on Sunday this year he will return to boxing.
Also on Friday, Fury said via Instagram: “I’m feeling good overall. My sharpness is picking up, my timing is coming back.”
“I’d say I could probably fight 10 rounds tonight but that’s just me, I’m the same old G as always, heavy and fat but fit.
Fury added that his sharpness and timing are returning in training
“You know when you leave the ring, you leave your job and you retire and your mind goes somewhere else.
“I’ve been doing Netflix documentaries, I’ve been on vacation, I’ve been messing around with my family and kids and doing other things. It’s not the life of a fighter, but now I’m back at it and I’m back for revenge.”
“I want you back to boxing, I want everything back and I’m coming in 2026.
“Just finished at the gym, 12 rounds of boxing, 1,000 push-ups, some cold therapy, and now I’m on my way home for a good shower and a steak.”
On Monday, Fury responded to a Ski Sports Boxing An Instagram post asks, “Who will Fury fight in 2026?”
The 37-year-old responded with a comment saying: “Whoever it is it’s going to be the biggest and best event of its time. With GK (Gypsy King) bringing back the circus looks and the headlines coming.”
Fury’s history of retirements followed by upheavals meant few believed his latest claim to end a career that had seen him 34 wins in 37 contests and several times world champion.
Fury announced his return to boxing in a post on Instagram on Sunday
He was angry at the referees’ decisions in his two losses to Usyk, the only boxer to beat Fury, who said in his retirement message last year: “I’m going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask.
But Fury fueled speculation of another comeback over the festive period by posting several clips on his social media feeds of himself in training.
Despite insisting he has retired from the sport, Fury has been repeatedly linked with a highly-anticipated British fight against Anthony Joshua, another former two-time world heavyweight champion.
The pair agreed to fight in August 2021 when they held all the major world titles between them, but that was cut short when Fury was ordered to fight Deontay Wilder for a third time at an arbitration hearing.
Fury could face Alexander Usyk in a rematch of his last fight
Plans were in the works for Joshua and Fury to square off early this year before finally facing each other either in late summer or late 2026.
However, a road accident in Nigeria on Monday, which injured Joshua and led to the death of two close friends and team members, is likely to put boxing on hold for the 36-year-old.
If Joshua is unavailable, Fury could look for a trilogy fight against WBC, WBA and IBF belt holder Usyk or a contest with WBO champion Fabio Wardley. A win over either would see Fury join Muhammad Ali as a three-time heavyweight champion of the world.