Tyson Fury: ‘I’m Looking Forward To Coming Here Putting on A Real Show at Tottenham’

It was a typical Tyson Fury press conference in Tottenham, U.K., as it was filled with jokes, a not-so-serious face-off, a ridiculously loud suit, and quotes from Fury that make you raise an eyebrow.

Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) and his April 11 opponent, Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-2, 19 KOs) from Eye of the Tiger, attended a press conference on Monday to promote their fight, which will stream live on Netflix. Fury wore a teal suit with the Netflix logo on his tie and shoes, while Makhmudov wore a casual all-black hoodie under a gray denim jacket.

Fury said that hearing about Anthony Joshua’s two friends dying in a terrible car accident was enough for him to realize that tomorrow is not guaranteed and that he should do what he loves—lacing up a pair of gloves and fighting. Fury also said that he won’t have a trainer for this fight because, with all his experience, he can train himself. When he faced off with Makhmudov, Fury pinched Makhmudov’s pecs to get a smile out of him, which he did, and it lightened the mood.

Makhmudov was in a more serious mood but grateful for the opportunity of a lifetime to face Fury on Netflix. After a rollercoaster career in recent years, Makhmudov knows he must make the most of this fight against Fury.

Hopefully, Netflix puts together one of its Countdown shows, as I would be interested in getting more background on Makhmudov. Below, you’ll find quotes from both fighters and the latest betting odds, as their fight on Netflix is a little under two months away.

TYSON FURY

On why he is returning to boxing: I came back for one reason only and that’s to make boxing great again. Since I retired for the fifth time over a year ago, boxing for me has gone on a downward slope. It’s become quite boring and boxing is at its maximum potential when Tyson Fury’s actively fighting….so believe it and I’m coming back to make boxing great again.

On facing the dangerous Makhmudov: If I fight a pudding, I don’t get turned on by that. I have to fight somebody dangerous to make me want to even train, make me want to even take it seriously. So now I know I’ve got a dangerous knockout artist in front of me… I’m looking forward to coming here putting on a real show at Tottenham. And most of all, I’m looking forward to punching his face right in.

On the “Turning Point” for his return: I suppose the biggest turning point in this comeback, for me, was a tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua. I was on holiday with my family in Thailand for Christmas just to get away from the rain, and then I hear all that bad news that’s gone on and I thought, you know what? Life is very, very short and very precious and very fragile and anything could happen at any given moment and you should never put things off until tomorrow or next year or next week because tomorrow is not promised to nobody.

On Training in Thailand vs. the UK: When I’m in Thailand and I wake up and it’s 30 degrees outside, I’m like, this is awesome. Let me go. Training [in] sunshine is the key. And if you wake up in the rain, you feel shit. And if you wake up in the sunshine you feel happy. And I want to feel happy.

On His Critics: Does the lion care about the opinions of sheep? No, he doesn’t. Who cares? I read a quote on Instagram recently and it said, does the honeybee waste his time telling their flies that their honey is better than cow shit? He doesn’t. He just lets ’em crack on with it. And that’s what I do. I crack on with my own business….I’m not anything but a fighter. And that’s what I’ll always be. And that’s why I’m back again, sticking in my own lane and doing what I always do.

On his official prediction: Probably a big right hand KO….Round six, why not? Sounds like a good even number.

ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV

On the opportunity to fight a legend: For me it’s dream fight. All my life, I go for my goal. My parents told me… when I was nine years old… you’re going to be champion world. So I just follow my goals and enjoy this time now and enjoy my trip to this goal. I’m looking forward to April 11 to reach my goal.

On whether Fury is overlooking him: I believe when we took a picture almost 10 [years] ago, it was like signal from God for this day going to be happen. One day I going to meet with this guy and beat him. That’s my goal and I believe God prepared this for me.

On his strategy for the fight: I don’t know what’s going to happen for the fight, but of course we will prepare for all distances.

TYSON FURY VS. ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV BETTING ODDS

Per BETUS, Tysion Fury is the favorite at -700, and Arslanbek Makhmudov is the underdog at +450.

Abraham Gonzalez

Abraham Gonzalez is a 2x award-winning writer, International Boxing Hall of Fame voter, founder and publisher of FightsATW. His journalistic work has been published and used across several platforms, including online, network TV, and promotional companies. He is an alumnus of an American Public University and a full member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). Abraham was the Managing Editor for NYFights, Big Fight Weekend, and contributed to The Ring Magazine, FanSidedMMA, and ProBoxTV.

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