Barry McGuigan, who held the WBA featherweight title in the 1980s, has cast doubt on Tyson Fury’s chances of regaining his old form when he returns to the ring at the age of 37.
The former heavyweight champion has not fought since December 2024 when he lost for the second time to Oleksandr Usyk. He is set to do battle with Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Ireland’s McGuigan, 32-3 (28 KOs), was only 28 years old when he retired in 1989 following an upset loss to Jim McDonnell. In retirement he has worked as a pundit, trainer and manager, he’s a fitness fanatic, and is currently enjoying a new lease of life after a series of appearances on reality television shows.
“Fury relies on timing not brute strength,” McGuigan wrote in his regular column for British newspaper, the Mirror. “Being out for a long time hinders that timing, so when you stand in punching range you are the one getting nailed not your opponent.”
The last time that Fury won a fight without argument was in December 2022, when he stopped Derek Chisora in 10 rounds. This week, his promoter Frank Warren told Sky Sports that Fury is targeting a third bout with Usyk in 2026.
“I would counsel against fighting Usyk for a third time,” McGuigan continued. “He proved in successive bouts that he had all the answers to Fury. At this stage of his career Fury offers little we haven’t seen before and must first prove to himself that he is a credible force.”
Though McGuigan expects Fury to defeat Makhmudov – “he has an upright style and will be wide open to Fury’s right hand” – he speaks from experience when he warns of the dangers of chasing yesterday’s form.
“To his credit Fury has always been honest with himself,” McGuigan concluded. “He understands well enough that no sport reveals the truth of things like boxing.”
