A three-time world heavyweight champion holds a rare and hallowed place in boxing history. Only the very best have reached that status — Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko are among those who preceded Tyson Fury.
Fury has had two reigns as a world heavyweight titlist, after beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder five years later. After losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 and being denied undisputed glory, Fury retired at the start of last year. He has since reversed that decision and will return to the ring on April 11 in the UK against Aslanbek Makhmudov.
His stated aim is to beat Makhmudov and line up a bigger fight later in 2026. A major British rival remains Anthony Joshua, though Joshua’s immediate future is unclear as he recovers from bereavement after losing two friends in a car accident in Nigeria in which he suffered minor injuries.
At present the four major world titles are split between Usyk and Fabio Wardley. Usyk holds the unified WBC, WBA and IBF belts while Ipswich’s Wardley is the WBO champion. Could Fury add another reign and join the select group of three-time champions?
Top trainer and boxing expert Joe Gallagher believes that is Fury’s motivation. “I think that might be what’s motivating him,” Gallagher told Sky Sports. “Whoever that may be against we’ll have to sit back and see.” Gallagher accepts it’s a daunting feat but sees it as possible. “I wouldn’t write him off. I think he has got the capabilities of being a three-time world champion.”
Gallagher named potential match-ups — Fabio Wardley, a big domestic attraction, and Anthony Joshua as obvious options — and raised the most tantalising possibility: a third fight with Usyk. “Obviously the big fight would be AJ, but then would it be third time lucky with Usyk? He’s got lots of options open to him,” Gallagher said. He cautioned that a trilogy with Usyk would be hard and depends on how time has affected both men.
April’s comeback against Makhmudov should not be taken lightly. Gallagher praised Fury for choosing a dangerous opponent and warned Fury must be sharp. “He’s got to be on the ball because this kid’s coming to grab the opportunity with both hands. Full credit to Tyson Fury, taking that type of opponent,” he said. Gallagher described Makhmudov as a forward, straight-line puncher with a good right hand and said Fury’s movement, angles and boxing IQ could be decisive — but Fury cannot be passive or upright on the ropes.
Gallagher noted Fury hasn’t always looked at his best after breaks, pointing to fights where Fury suffered cuts or seemed off the pace. Still, he welcomed Fury’s return. “Enjoy him while he’s here for the remainder of his career, whether it’s 12 months, 12 weeks or whatever,” Gallagher said. “Boxing’s short of characters and when you have someone like Tyson Fury, he’s a character, he’s a good fighter and he most probably wants a chance to become a three-time world champion.”
Whether Fury can accomplish that depends on opponents, timing and how both he and the current champions age and evolve. He has the ambition and profile to chase a third reign, but the path will be difficult and full of high-risk match-ups.