Tyson Fury has confirmed he will make a return to the boxing ring in 2026, 12 months after retiring from the sport.
The former heavyweight champion, 37, hung up his gloves last January in the wake of his second defeat by the all-conquering Oleksandr Usyk, in a closely-fought contest.
However, the Gypsy King has teased a return over the festive period with a series of training clips posted to social media, and on Sunday confirmed that he will fight once again this year.
'2026 is that year Return of the mac,' he posted on Instagram. 'Been away for a while but im back now, 37 years old and still punching. nothing better to do than punch men in the face & get paid for it'.
Whether he faces long-term foe Anthony Joshua remains to be seen, though. A fight between the two British heavyweights has long been in the pipeline and both fighters' camps suggested that they had enjoyed positive talks.
But AJ's horror car crash in Nigeria, in which two of his close friends - Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele - lost their lives, has cast serious doubt over Joshua's boxing future.
'This is an awful time for everyone involved and hopefully AJ has come out of it physically well,' Frank Warren, Fury's promoter, told ITV News.
'But mentally is another issue. I don't even know if he'll have the appetite to fight again or if he will fight again, that is something that only time will tell.'
Fury, who has been managed by Warren since February 2019, himself paid tribute to Joshua's friends Sina and Latif - who he wished would be given 'a good bed in heaven'.
On Sunday, AJ posted a photo on social media in remembrance of Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif 'Latz' Ayodele.
In the upload, Joshua can be seen sat with his mother and family, with one person clutching a framed photograph of Ghami.
He captioned the post: 'My Brothers Keeper'.
The well-known phrase is used when someone wants to show they will support and care for others, who they accept responsibility for.
The funerals of Joshua’s strength coach Ghami and his personal trainer ‘Latz’ will take place today at a mosque in London.
Joshua arrived at London Stansted Airport on Friday night and has been recuperating at his mansion.
Earlier this week Daily Mail Sport exclusively revealed how Joshua had cheated death following a last-minute decision, before the Lexus SUV he travelled in set off for its tragic journey.
The World Champion boxer, 36, swapped seats from the front to the back of his SUV ahead of the smash which killed Ghami and Ayodele just hours after they arrived in Nigeria for a holiday.
In addition, Joshua's driver did not have a valid driver's licence before the smash on Nigeria's most deadly road which hospitalised the multi-millionaire boxer.
The jaw-dropping revelation emerged at the hearing for his driver Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 47, in Sagamu High Court on Friday, during which he denied all charges against him, including dangerous driving.
Kayode was wearing a black Muslim kaftan and pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out to him by the clerk as members of his family attended. He claims he is innocent and the brakes failed.
Kayode, who has worked for Joshua for more than three years, was granted bail and rushed away by police to Sagamu Correctional Centre for paperwork to be completed.
The driver’s lawyer Olalekan Abiodun told the Daily Mail: ’My client has pleaded not guilty and what happened was an accident, I haven’t had a full chance to speak with him yet but I know he is saying the brakes did not work.
‘I also understand that the journey started in Lagos and that initially Anthony had got into the front seat but the driver asked him to swap seats.‘
'He did this because Anthony is a big fellow and he couldn’t see the wing mirror properly so he asked him to move and he sat behind the driver.
‘From what I understand Latif was in front and then changed seats with Anthony.'
Bail was set at 5 million Naira (£2,580) but under the Nigerian system this doesn't have to be cash and valuables are admissible.
Joshua's mother rushed to his bedside earlier this week at one of Nigeria's best hospitals as he recovered from his injuries.
The exclusive hospital boasts an elite service dubbed the Harley Street Practice, located on the sixth floor, which offers Duchess Royal Suites for VIP inpatients.
The hospital states that the facilities offer a 'unique hospitality experience to our clients, offering a combination of outstanding patient care with the luxury of five-star accommodation and privacy.'
Patients receive one-to-one care for 24-hours a day and have access to medical personnel and hospitality staff.
They also receive gourmet meals fully catered to their taste. The basic packages for the Royal Suite with ensuite bathroom facilities starts at £2,000.
