Tyson Fury has declared he will prepare for his ring return without a head coach, drawing inspiration from the iconic Rocky III antagonist Clubber Lang.
The 37-year-old former two-time heavyweight champion is set to face Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 11, marking his emergence from a fifth retirement.
Speaking during Monday’s press conference broadcast live on Netflix, Fury announced his unconventional training strategy ahead of the bout against the Russian heavyweight.
The Gypsy King revealed he intends to channel the self-reliant approach of Mr T’s famous film character as he looks to rebuild his career following back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
“I’m like Clubber Lang,” Fury stated.
“I’m going to train alone. I know what to do, I know how to go 12 rounds, I know how to push myself when I need to.”
The Morecambe fighter added: “But I also know when to take a rest when I need to.”
Tyson Fury will face Arslanbek Makhmudov later this year, with the duo due to fight on April 11 | PA
Fury dismissed suggestions that boxing preparation requires complex methodology, arguing the sport is often overcomplicated.
“Boxing, people try to make it so much like rocket science, but it’s not,” he explained.
“As long as you train hard and eat well and get plenty of rest, I think the rest of it, if you’re experienced like I am, an experienced veteran in this game, sometimes you need people to point stuff out to you and remind you of certain aspects.
Five facts about boxing that fans might not know | GBNEWS/PA
“But what I don’t know about my own body now, I’m never going to know.”
Fury’s decision to step back into the ring comes after he announced the conclusion of his fifth retirement in January, having suffered successive losses to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The status of Sugarhill Steward, who has served as Fury’s principal trainer for the past six years, remains unclear heading into the Makhmudov contest.
Steward, nephew of legendary boxing coach Emmanuel Steward, guided Fury through some of his most significant victories, but whether the American will continue working with the British heavyweight is currently unknown.
The December 2024 rematch with Usyk proved to be another disappointing night for Fury, with his father John notably absent from the corner during that defeat.
John Fury has confirmed he will play a more prominent role in his son’s preparation for the April showdown, having been removed from the corner for the second Usyk encounter.
Tyson Fury previously announced his retirement in January 2025 | PA
“I am going to be more involved this time,” the elder Fury told Goldstar Promotions.
He expressed unwavering confidence in a successful comeback, declaring: “Father and son Tyson’s going to win the heavyweight championship for the third time, and you can bank your f***ing money on that!”
John acknowledged his son is not currently in peak physical condition but promised a dramatic transformation before fight night.
“He’ll look like a f***ing Spartan by April, and he will be heavyweight champion of the world again,” he predicted.
