The former two-time heavyweight world champion is due to make his return to the ring in April, but ahead of his comeback, the Brit has been sent a stern warning by an old foe
Tyson Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11(Image: PA)
Tyson Fury‘s ex-sparring partner Agron Smakici has demanded an apology from the former two-time heavyweight world champion.
Ahead of his planned fight with Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, the ‘Gypsy King’ enlisted Smakici as a sparring partner. But just weeks before Fury and Usyk were due to clash for the undisputed heavyweight title, the former was forced to pull out after suffering a cut in training – caused by Smakici. The battle scar had been caused by Otto Wallin back in 2019, and the Brit has had issues with it ever since.
Smakici has now revisited the infamous session with World Boxing News, explaining how he felt in control early, and disputed claims that the damage came from an elbow. “The memories that we have from sparring. Where I was controlling the sparring from the first round, the second round,” he said.
FOLLOW OUR FIGHTING FB PAGE! Latest boxing and MMA news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
READ MORE: Tyson Fury’s opponent breaks his silence to send warning
“He put my head down and pushed my head so when I picked up my head, I started to throw punches even harder. I rocked him with a couple of shots, and the last shot was with a cut, and they say that it was with an elbow, but it wasn’t, it was a real punch. He didn’t complain about the elbow; he just threw a shot, stopped the sparring, and went out.”
Fury would go on to fight Usyk back in May 2024 – losing via split decision, before suffering yet another points defeat in their rematch seven months later. Just weeks later, the 37-year-old announced his retirement from the sport, only to perform a drastic U-turn. The former two-time heavyweight world champion will return on April 11 against Russian powerhouse Arslanbek Makhmudov.
Following his old training partner’s return, Smakici is willing to trade leather with Fury in a professional setting. “I got the call from Sky Sports, I’m not sure, and he asked me if I am interested in having a fight with Fury, and I said yes, of course. We’ve got something that we didn’t finish, and he owes me an apology.”
READ MORE: Gervonta Davis arrested after two-week manhunt for boxing world championREAD MORE: Tyson Fury retirement U-turn prediction made as body language expert wades in
A potential clash between the pair seems unlikely, though. The Croatian – who holds a professional record of 21-3 – lost his last outing back in October against Artem Suslenkov. His toughest test came back in 2023, losing to heavyweight star Agit Kabayel. But Smakici is far from a crack at some of the big names in the heavyweight division.
Fury is chasing for a glory should he come away unscathed against Makhmudov. Reacting to his comeback being made official, the 37-year-old said: “I told you there was a big announcement coming today, baby! I done it. Got it over the line.
“I’m absolutely psyched, ready today to fight. Come on! The Mac is back. April, UK. I’ve been away four years, I’ve been away for a while but I’m back now. And I also brought the biggest streaming platform alive along with me. Who else could bring that to Britain? Come on! And the year we have planned, come on! This is just the tip of the iceberg.”