To the shock of… nobody… The Gypsy King once again made his return to the boxing ring last night. It is always an event whenever Tyson Fury does his thing, or anything for that matter. The show as a whole was exactly that, and quite the show it was! I loved the pace and flow of the event, having just 4 fights on the main card made it easy to watch and digest, and it was 4 fights each with something quite unique and intriguing about them.

Whilst it’s main tenants continue to flounder, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has established itself as the unofficial home of big boxing events in the UK, and so it was no shock when it was announced that the return of the 2-time former Heavyweight Champion would take place at Spurs’ ground. A packed house saw 4 fascinating fights on the main card…

Frazer Clarke was looking to rebound from a defeat last time out against Jeamie Tshikeva for the then vacant British title. In fact he had failed to win 3 of his last 4 fights coming in to this one. The big man seemed to lose some of his allure after his split decision draw with Fabio Wardley a little over two years ago, before a devastating round 1 KO loss in the rematch. A quick win against Ebenezer Tetteh in the following fight lead him to the aforementioned British title shot, but with that having proved unsuccessful, the former Olympic Bronze medallist was looking to get big in the W column in this fight. His opponent would be no push over though, as although Justis Huni was also coming in to this off the back of a loss (also to Fabio Wardley) this was still a formidable Heavyweight fighter who was undefeated before the Wardley defeat. He was a late replacement for that fight even, and was actually ahead on the scorecards when he succumbed to the same fate as his opponent on this night did himself. A fight both men needed to win to stay in the talk of championship opportunities.

Justis Huni vs Frazer Clarke – Heavyweight division

R1: 10-9 Huni 

R2: 10-9 Huni (20-18 Huni)

R3: 10-9 Huni (30-27 Huni) 

R4: 10-9 Clarke (39-37 Huni) 

R5: 10-9 Clarke (48-47 Huni) 

R6: 10-9 Huni (58-56 Huni) 

R7: 10-9 Clarke (67-66 Huni) 

R8: 10-9 Huni (77-75 Huni) 

R9: 10-9 Huni (87-84 Huni)

R10: 10-9 Huni (97-93 Huni) 

Close fight with big shots from both, but I felt Huni threw more and was more efficient with his shots. Clarke seemed to gas out a little, but showed a good chin throughout. I have it Huni by 4 rounds (97-93). 

OFFICIAL RESULT: Huni wins by majority decision (96-94, 96-94, 95-95)

Clarke will be disappointed, but I don’t think he can have many complaints about the decision. He only really has himself to blame, as he showed he does have some tools to do damage in the Heavyweight division, but just didn’t do it enough. Which was funny given he proved in this fight how good a chin he had, but Huni was far more productive with his punches and in my opinion very much deserved the win. Huni I would say may need another decent win before going again for a title shot, whereas Clarke now I think will need to go back to the drawing board before figuring out his future plans. He has proved to be British level as a fighter, but I fear that may be his limit.

Next up we had a fighter I have followed with great interest for some time. Mainly because he got his nickname from a segment on my favourite radio show, The Sports Bar on TalkSport. So I was very much excited to see “The Midnight Train” in action once more.

Richard Riakporhe is a heck of a talent. A former Cruiserweight champion that has followed the route of many before him in moving up to heavyweight. With a record of 19-1 coming in to this fight, his sole career loss coming to Callum Billam-Smith when he lost his WBO Cruiserweight belt at the home of his beloved Crystal Palace in the summer of 2024. But he has rebounded well since then, and is 2-0 since his move up a weight class. He will be looking to become a two division champion here, against a fighter in Jeamie Tshikeva with a professional record of 9-2. His career high came in his previous fight though, in winning the then vacant British title against Frazer Clarke. TKV has had quite the road to get here, after 72 amateur fights he would soon find himself in title contention in the professional ranks. He would win the vacant IBO International title in February 2025, before then losing to David Adeleye for the vacant British title in April 2025. However, an appeal was launched of the result as it was claimed the first knockdown of the fight came from a punch thrown AFTER the referee had called for a break. A rematch was ordered, which led to RKV getting another title shot against Clarke, which then led us to his fight here with Riakporhe.

Jeamie Tshikeva (C) vs Richard Riakporhe for the British Heavyweight title

R1: 10-9 Riakporhe

R2: 10-9 Riakporhe (20-18 Riakporhe)

R3: 10-9 Riakporhe (30-27 Riakporhe) 

R4: 10-9 Riakporhe (40-36 Riakporhe)

R5: 10-8 up when Riakporhe wins by TKO (2:12) 

Riakporhe won this with some ease. Just looked on another level to Tshikeva, who I’m not sure in comparison how he found himself as a British champion heavyweight to be honest. The stoppage was maybe a little early, but only by a punch or two, the result was only going one way all fight. 

OFFICIAL RESULT: Riakporhe wins by TKO at 2:12 of Round 5 (NEW British Heavyweight Champion) 

A total mismatch from the very beginning. It was only a matter of when, not if Riakporhe would get the stoppage. He will look ahead to other big domestic fights now, and maybe even those on a global scale… As for the beaten TKV, go back to the gym and figure out what you want to do with your career I would say, because he looked way off the level tonight. And given he was coming in to the fight as the champion, I thought his showing (albeit against a greatly skilled opponent) was poor.

We then had a rather extraordinary interview with the most important man in all of boxing, and the boxing world went into overdrive with the huge tease made by Turki Alalshikh…

WOW OH WOW OH WOW…! Could it FINALLY be happening???

Anyway, we now have the small matter of CONNOR BENN next up on the show, it really was like watching a pro-wrestling show already at this point, just non-stop drama and action!

The much-talked about Connor Benn made headlines in recent weeks for his decisions out of the ring as much as in it. As after his career best win against his rival Chris Eubank Jr, he made the shock decision to leave Matchroom boxing and his long-time promoter Eddie Hearn behind, in favour of a one fight deal with the TKO/Dana White led Zuffa boxing affiliation. A one fight mega money deal meant that this fight could open so many doors for him in the future, as he moves back down to his preferred weight class and looking ahead to possible future title chances, and possibly against the great Ryan Garcia. But before that talk, he must take care of veteran, former world champion Regis Prograis. Even in the twilight of his career, Prograis presents a great challenge for Benn to try and overcome, as although he has suffered defeats in 2 of his previous 3 fights, he still boasts an impressive 30-3 record.

Connor Benn vs Regis Prograis – Welterweight division

R1: 10-9 Benn 

R2: 10-9 Benn (20-18 Benn) 

R3: 10-9 Benn (30-27 Benn)

R4: 10-9 Prograis (39-37 Benn) 

R5: 10-9 Prograis (48-47 Benn) 

R6: 10-9 Benn (58-56 Benn) 

R7: 10-9 Benn (68-65 Benn) 

R8: 10-9 Benn (78-74 Benn) 

R9: 10-9 Benn (88-83 Benn) 

R10: 10-9 Benn (98-92 Benn) 

Benn dominated the first 3 rounds in terms of volume of punches, and even % of accuracy, but in the 4th it changed a bit… Connor got a cut (via a accidental Headbutt), Prograis grew in confidence, was connecting with better shots more often, but Benn (as ANOTHER cut appeared around the other eye) rallied towards the end of a brutal war of attrition. In the end I had Benn by a pretty big distance 8 rounds to 2 (98-92). 

OFFICIAL RESULT: Benn wins by Unanimous decision (98-92, 98-92, 98-92) 

Connor was excellent tonight. A mature performance with his typical flashes of ferocious brilliance with quick and effective shots. Prograis was brave, but never really in this fight. Benn will be relieved to be back down to his usual fighting class, and to have come through this challenge unfazed and with a good performance. Even if his rival Chris Eubank Jr was more interested in whatever was on his prone (as could be seen from hit seat in the front row at ringside), Connor put on a good show here, and I would be shocked if Zuffa didn’t want to do business with him again, maybe even in finally making the Ryan Garcia fight…

And then it was time for the return of the king.

And before the action got underway, we got a typically showman entrance from the former heavyweight champion of the world, including a beautiful tribute to his fallen friend, the late great Ricky Hatton.

There is not much to say that hasn’t already been said about Tyson Fury. ‘The boy who cried wolf’ once more on his boxing retirement now makes his latest comeback with what seems a 3 point plan; the comeback, Joshua, champion again. Phase 1 tonight sees him come up against the giant Arslanbek Makhmudov. The Russian heavyweight has an impressive 21-2 record coming in, and beat the popular Dave Allen last time out. It is though his KO record which stands out the most, with an incredible 19 wins coming by knockout, and 13 of them in the very first round. Tyson Fury may need to be his typically illusive self if he is to avoid a similar fate in this fight. It would certainly ruin A LOT of future plans. And as much as Fury is expected to come through his return fight with little issue, we have seen before in the Francis Ngannou fight, that if he rests on his laurels, Tyson Fury CAN be got at… we shall see…

Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov – Heavyweight division

R1: 10-9 Makhmudov 

R2: 10-9 Fury (19-19) 

R3: 10-9 Fury (29-28 Fury)

R4: 10-9 Fury (39-37 Fury) 

R5: 10-9 Fury (49-46 Fury)

R6: 10-9 Fury (59-55 Fury) 

R7: 10-9 Fury (69-64 Fury) 

R8: 10-9 Fury (79-73 Fury) 

R9: 10-9 Fury (89-82 Fury)

R10: 10-9 Fury (99-91 Fury)

R11: 10-9 Fury (109-100 Fury)

R12: 10-9 Fury (119-109 Fury)

After a typically theatrical entrance from Tyson Fury (including an emotional tribute to the late great Ricky Hatton), it was Makhmudov who came out as more of the aggressor. Fury settled after but this was two big animals going for it, with one of them a much more skilled boxer. Makhmudov had some moments, but I really could only see this fight going one way as it went on. Fury looked to be taking his time, and having some fun with it even, as he shook off some ring rust. It was fascinating to me that AJ was filming the fight from his ringside seat… I feel like we are watching a jumped up sparring session to be honest. Makhmudov clearly has a good chin, but I don’t think Fury was going for it fully and I do think he could’ve took him out if he really wanted it.  

OFFICIAL RESULT: Fury wins by Unanimous decision (120-108, 120-108, 119-109) 

It became clear as the fight went on that Tyson was looking to get the rounds in, as opposed to flattening and taking out his relatively stationery opponent. I have seen AJ do it in the past, and whilst as a fan watching it can be frustrating, I do understand the need for a boxer to shake off the ring rust after a long time out of the ring. There was no doubt of a slip up and a spanner in the works here, The Gypsy King is back… again…

And so with the formalities of the boxing out the way, next came the theatre. As expected, we got AJ VS Fury news… albeit not QUITE the official announcement…

I do think it really will get done this time, but I can’t say I’m massively confident. We have been catfished by this fight for a decade now, and there has always been SOMETHING that gets in the way. But hopefully the Saudi bottomless pit of money, and the fact that both men are looking towards the end of their fighting careers now, means that it really is NOW or never, and we finally can see who the REAL king of Britain is… Hopefully…

Josh.