Tyson Fury weighs in lighter than in Oleksandr Usyk rematch for Arslanbek Makhmudov fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Tyson Fury and Arslanbek Makhmudov took to the scales ahead of Saturday’s heavyweight fight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
It will be Fury’s first fight since losing his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk at the end of 2024. He sat out the whole of last year before bringing that brief retirement to a close.
But coming back at the age of 37, his condition and form will be closely monitored. He weighed 267.9lbs, down from the 281lbs he weighed, albeit while wearing clothes, for his rematch against Usyk.
“It gets a little bit harder each time in camp,” Fury told Netflix. “Getting older, more injury prone, Father Time waits for nobody, it gets a little bit more difficult every time but still got plenty in the tank. After another four or five retirements I should be good.
“My priority is to beat this fella, I’ve got loads of Easter eggs in the fridge ready for me. Whoever has these belts I want them back.
“I was undefeated for 17 years, it’s a very long time, I took it for granted, I get two losses in a row and I’m not the hunted but the hunter again. It takes me back to 2015, it feels great to be the young, fresh, clean-shaven kid again.
“I’ll get this big man out the way, then I’ve got the other big man next.”
Makhmudov is a seasoned heavyweight contender, with two losses on his record but a host of early finishes and a knockout ratio of over 90 per cent.
He has spoken only mildly in the build-up to the fight, compared to Fury’s typical bombast. But he’s a big man who looked formidable when he weighed in at 264.9lbs.
“I’m ready to go, I can’t wait to make my story happen, make my dream happen,” said Makhmudov.
“It’s my dream, my time.
“When I was nine years old, my uncle said I would be like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.
“For this fight I’m round for 12 or 20 rounds, no problem.”
Conor Benn weighed in under the 150lb catchweight limit at 149.5lbs in his first fight since coming back down from middleweight, where he fought Chris Eubank Jr twice at 156.4lbs and 159.3lbs.
“I definitely could have made 147, until you’ve done it you aren’t sure,” said Benn.
“Everybody has been more experienced, Van Heerden was more experienced, Algieri was more experienced, Samuel Vargas, Sebastian Formella, it’s my job to go in there and prove I’m at that level continuously.
“I’ve been putting middleweights over in the gym. I’m excited to be fighting somebody my own size for once.”
American opponent Regis Prograis came in slightly lighter at 148.1lbs having moved up from super-lightweight in his first fight since August’s unanimous decision win over Joseph Diaz.
“I think it comes down to levels, I’m a two-time world champion, I’ve been the best in the world,” said Prograis. “I don’t take anything away from Conor Benn, but I do think I’m the better fighter.
“I look in his eyes, he’s definitely ready, I’m definitely ready, I think I bring out things he hasn’t seen before.”
Richard Riakporhe hit the scales at 234.12lbs ahead of his British heavyweight title fight against defending champion Jeamie ‘TKV’ Tshikeva, who was 262.7lbs.
“It was crazy (previously getting down to cruiserweight), when I think about how many miles I had to run, skipping meals, I wouldn’t eat for days before a fight, I’d be eating salads,” said Riakporhe.
“It’s a legendary belt to have under your name, British champion, there’s a ring to it, I’m glad to be part of it.”
Frazer Clarke meanwhile weighed in at 259.12lbs as he takes on Australian Justis Huni, who was the lighter of the two at 246.14lbs in his first fight since being knocked out by Fabio Wardley last June.
Clarke is seeking a comeback win following his defeat to TKV to miss out on the British title.
“I’m not feeling pressure, I’m excited, if you aren’t excited and enjoy what you do you’ll never excel in it. Since my move to Joe (Gallagher), the excitement, the positivity, it comes down to Saturday night.
“People have short memories, I’m a good fighter and I’ll show that Saturday. We know he can box, other than his Wardley defeat he’s looked good in all his fights, but I can box.”
