His Excellency Turki bin Abdulmohsen Al-Sheikh , Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), announced a major sporting event, confirming the return of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury to the boxing ring. Fury, known as the "Gypsy King," will face the formidable Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov in a highly anticipated world championship bout to be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, and broadcast exclusively on Netflix.
This return comes at a pivotal moment for Fury, who has recently fought historic bouts that cemented his status as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of his generation. After an undefeated career and a string of impressive victories, most notably his epic three-fight series against Deontay Wilder, Fury returns to the ring looking to reaffirm his dominance. This fight is not just a comeback from retirement; it's a crucial step in his career to prove he can still compete at the highest level.
For his part, Arslanbek Makhmudov, nicknamed "The Lion," presents a formidable challenge. The Russian boxer is renowned for his immense power and impressive knockout record, making him one of the most feared names in the heavyweight division. For Makhmudov, this fight is a golden opportunity to prove his worth on the world stage and achieve a historic victory over a legendary figure like Tyson Fury, potentially opening the door to competing for major world titles.
This event reflects the growing importance of Saudi Arabia as a leading global destination for hosting major sporting events, particularly in the world of boxing. Under the guidance of His Excellency Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh, Riyadh has transformed into a capital of historic fights as part of the Riyadh Season events, hosting world-class bouts such as "Battle of the Fiercest" and "Judgment Day," thus enhancing the Kingdom's standing on the international sporting map and attracting the attention of millions of fans worldwide.
His Excellency Advisor Turki Al-Sheikh said: “We are delighted with Tyson Fury’s decision to return to the boxing ring and compete in a strong fight against Arslanbek Mahmudov, in a match we expect to be full of excitement and attract a large audience.” He added that this fight is part of the Authority’s efforts to provide world-class entertainment and sports content for the Kingdom’s residents and visitors.
Streaming the fight live on Netflix to over 325 million subscribers represents a game-changer in sports broadcasting, allowing the event to reach a vast global audience and surpassing traditional broadcasting models. Tyson Fury expressed his excitement about returning, stating that "boxing runs in his blood," while Khabib Nurmagomedov emphasized his readiness to deliver a performance worthy of the occasion and seize this historic opportunity.
The fight is scheduled to be preceded by a global media tour that includes several major cities, the details of which will be revealed later, in addition to announcing the location of the fight and the full card of the accompanying fights, which are expected to include other prominent names in the world of boxing.
