TYSON FURY says ANTHONY JOSHUA car crash played major role in decision to return to boxing.

Tuesday, February 17 2026 - Former heavyweight boxing champion, Tyson Fury has said the tragic car crash involving close associates of long-time rival Anthony Joshua played a major role in his decision to return to boxing.

Fury is set to make his comeback on April 11 after 15 months out of the ring, facing Russian-born heavyweight Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The 37-year-old had announced his retirement following a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk at the end of 2024. He spent a full year inactive before confirming his return on January 4.

His announcement came shortly after Joshua was involved in a car accident in Nigeria in December that claimed the lives of two of his close friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele.

Speaking on Monday, Fury described the tragedy as a moment that reshaped his perspective.

“Tomorrow might never come,” Fury said. “The biggest turning point in this comeback for me was the tragedy that happened with Anthony Joshua. You should never put things off until tomorrow, next week or next year, because tomorrow isn’t promised.”

Plans for a long-anticipated bout between Fury and Joshua in 2026 have since been shelved. The former two-time world heavyweight champion added that he also felt compelled to return in order to revive excitement in the sport.

“I came back for one reason only — to make boxing great again,” Fury said. “Since I retired for the fifth time over a year ago, boxing has been on a downward slope and it’s become quite boring.”