Tyson Fury: Eddie Hearn says heavyweight boxing is ‘in its prime’ and in 2026 he will return to fight in the ring good news | Debate News

Tyson Fury is still in his “prime” and his return to boxing is very good for the sport, says Eddie Hearn.

Fury, 37, confirmed in early January that he would return to fight in 2026, nearly a year after announcing his retirement from the ring.

Fury, who has not fought since a second-round decision loss to heavyweight contender Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, is expected to begin a preseason fight before facing other stars in the heavyweight division later this year.

“It’s exciting,” promoter Hearn said Sky Sports News.

“I think on the one hand, you want to prepare yourself for a challenge against a top guy. And on the other hand, he’s coming back after a long layoff. Maybe you don’t want too much of a taxing challenge.

“I know some of the names in the mix, and I’ll leave that to Turki [Al-Sheikh] and Tyson Fury to name those guys. We have guys who can challenge.

“However, it’s nice to see him back. He’s gone from not really posting on social media, every time I pick up my phone, there’s a new Tyson Fury story.

“Boxing can save you at many different stages in your life. I don’t think he was at a stage in his life where he needed to save, but you can say that boxing has saved him, maybe many times and, in fact, now he looks happier than ever and full of life.

“Even away from boxing, I think that physical training is a great form of mental help that you can get in many different situations.

“And I think Fury looks like he’s having a blast right now. He’s in Thailand, isn’t he? Wherever he is. He runs every morning.

“You inspire me! You look at me, I go, ‘well done’. We’ve said a lot over the years, but I love the fact that you’re back in boxing.”

Fury, who turns 38 in August, may not have fought for more than a year, but Hearn said: “I think he’s a fantastic fighter. I think he’s smart in the game. And he can be involved in big fights.

“Also, he’s in his prime. He’s lost two very close fights to Oleksandr Usyk. It’s not like, ‘oh, he’s done now’.

“Yeah, it’s good to see him back. It would be interesting to see who he’s up against. I think they’re talking about April time.”

A fight with fellow former world champion Anthony Joshua was thought to be a later date in 2026 but Joshua is currently taking time out from boxing after his close friends and teammates, Sina Ghami and Latif ‘Latz’ Adoyele, died in a car accident in Nigeria last month.

Joshua was also in the car and needed hospital treatment for minor injuries before returning to the UK.

Hearn said Joshua is “the only voice” that can decide his future in the sport.

“Right now, who knows? I don’t think it’s something to discuss publicly, even with AJ. So, what was discussed in the past. [about fighting Fury] it’s not important,” said Hearn.

“The key will be, if and when, Anthony chooses to return to boxing. If he does that, or if he does that, then we will start to see what the road map looks like. But as I said, at the moment, those discussions are far away.”