Fury vs Makhmudov: British heavyweight Tyson Fury looks leans and sharp at weigh-in

Fury was in the same upbeat mood he’d shown all week; giving fans time outside beforehand, laughing and joking with the media and saying “guess who’s back?” He was walking towards Eminem’s song “Without Me” with his words. blasting over the speakers.

But the focus soon turned to the scales and weight became a talking point throughout the Morecambe fighter’s career.

It was the heaviest weight of his career in his rematch with Usyk in December 2024 at 20st 1lb (127.5kg) (even though he was fully clothed), and during his break from boxing between 2016 and 2018 he moved up to around 28th (177.8kg) amid personal struggles.

Fury, who spent his training camp in Pattaya, Thailand, was at the same weight as his last fight in the UK in December 2022, when he beat fellow Briton Derek Chisora.

BBC Radio 5 Live boxing pundit Steve Bunce said: “It’s a reasonable, comfortable and happy weight for Fury. A lot of people thought he would go heavier but it’s a good weight.”

“He looks like a guy who has been training in the heat for a very long time.

“He might have been 23 or 24 when he started training for this fight. He put on some weight after the shoot and slowly put it on. He climbs hills and carries trees. I like the way he looks.”

But Makhmudov is one of the few heavyweights who can match Fury’s sheer physical presence.

The 1.90m tall, Russian-born, Canada-based fighter known as ‘The Lion’ has 21 wins, 19 of them by knockout, in 23 fights and arrived in London with a reputation as a heavy puncher.

Makhmudov’s last victory was against British heavyweight Dave Allen in October 2025.

“I’m ready to go. I’m looking forward to tomorrow night to make my dream come true. I’ve waited a long time to come here. This is my dream and my time,” he said.