Tyson Fury: Talk about returning to heavyweight boxing is “premature”

No agreement has yet been agreed regarding Tyson Fury’s return to boxing in 2026, BBC Sport has learned.

The former heavyweight world champion announced on Sunday that he intends to return to action this year, ending his recent period of retirement.

The 37-year-old Briton last fought in December 2024, when he lost for the second time to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in a heavyweight rematch.

Fury confirmed his retirement a month later.

“2026 is that year. I was away for a while but I’m back now,” Fury said in an Instagram post on Sunday.

However, sources close to the Morecambe fighter told BBC Sport that the Instagram post was premature, as key details around his return – including his opponent and schedule – have yet to be finalized.

Any return – and a potential fight with Anthony Joshua – may also depend heavily on financial support and Saudi Arabia’s continued involvement in staging major heavyweight events.

Saudi powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh has previously been linked with plans for Fury and his long-time rival Joshua to have separate bouts in early 2026 before they finally meet later in the year.

Joshua’s immediate future remains unclear after he was injured in a car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

Even if he returns to the ring, there are still significant obstacles to finishing any match with Fury.

Saudi Arabia, through its Riyadh Season banner, has become a major force in boxing in recent years, with both Fury and Joshua fighting on cards backed by the Kingdom.

British competitors Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn have also signed directly with Riyadh Season for their final two outings rather than individual promoters.

But the extent of Saudi involvement in future events is now less clear, and without that financial support, a clash between Fury and Joshua remains difficult to pull off.

Despite years of discussion, no other promotional group has so far been able to broker an agreement between the pair.