Tyson Fury ends a 15-month retirement spell tonight when he fights Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Conor Benn also on the card against Regis Prograis in a catchweight bout. Organisers expect the venue to be packed later in the night, with a full house of 60,000 to 70,000 fans anticipated.
The demand was already showing early in the day. Ringside seats were retailing for just shy of £2000 in the morning, while cheaper places in the top tiers were still available at £43.65, a spread that reflects how much pull the card still has in London.
Fury’s comeback comes against a heavyweight in Makhmudov who has been described by Fabio Wardley as a strong, aggressive and powerful Russian, a fighter stylistically well suited to the former champion. Natasha Jonas said every heavyweight fight carries danger because it only takes one shot, even if Fury’s class and experience should help him cope. Steve Bunce went further, calling Makhmudov a risky opponent because he brings momentum after beating Dave Allen.
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The line-up also underlines how much the night is built around more than one draw. Benn’s bout with Prograis sits on the undercard rather than the main event, but it gives the show another name fight and another reason for the crowd to arrive early. If the stadium does fill as expected, the numbers will do what the names have already promised: turn a comeback night into a major event before the first bell even sounds.
