The Mac is back! Tyson Fury marks his return to professional boxing this Saturday night (April 11) as he prepares to take on Russia’s bear wrestling behemoth Arslanbek Makhmudov. Despite all the hype, I don't think this fight will go the way many expect…
TL;DR – Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov Best Bets
Not one, not two, but five retirements later, Fury is once again returning to the squared circle. Ahead of the fight, I have compiled a list of my best bets using the best online bookies, including a juicy 6/1 shot with William Hill. Here are my picks.
| Market | Odds | Return for £10 |
|---|---|---|
| Over 6.5 Rounds | 8/13 (QuinnBet) | £16.15 |
| Fury to win via KO/TKO/DQ | 4/7 (William Hill) | £15.71 |
| Fury to be knocked down and win | 6/1 (William Hill) | £70.00 |
Bet 1: Over 6.5 Rounds
It’s been 15 months since Tyson Fury last stepped through the ropes, and the Gypsy King will be determined to deliver a masterclass at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Make no mistake, 15 months is a lifetime to be away from any profession, let alone the unforgiving world of heavyweight boxing.
Ring rust isn't the only hurdle, either. The man in the opposite corner is no journeyman and warrants respect. While Makhmudov may not be considered elite, a 21-2 record and a frightening 90% knockout rate prove he’s coming to do more than make up the numbers.
Given the layoff, don’t expect a quick blowout. Fury will need the opening rounds to find his rhythm, while Makhmudov should remain in the hunt. Backing the over 6.5 rounds looks like the smart play at around the 8/13 mark.
No Expiry Date
Bet 2: Tyson Fury to win via KO/TKO/DQ
If I am to be brutally honest, Fury should consider permanent retirement if he fails to win this fight.
While Makhmudov is a dangerous man, Fury has every advantage under the sun when looking at this from a stylistic point of view.
The Russian likes to walk forward, which plays straight into Fury’s countering ability and his mighty reach advantage. The Gypsy King is expected to dance around his rival and ultimately stop him in the later rounds.
Don’t forget, Makhmudov has been stopped twice in his two losses – including a fourth-round TKO defeat against top heavyweight Agit Kabayel back in 2023.
Keeping all that in mind, backing Fury to win via TKO/KO/DQ at around the 4/7 mark is a solid bet. However, if you are looking for serious value, check out my next selection.
If you like this type of content, subscribe…
Bet 3: Tyson Fury to be knocked down and win
Alright, ladies and gents. The prelims are wrapped and the chief support is in the books. It’s time for the main event of our preview – my 6/1 value play.
Fury enters as a massive 1/6 favourite, which—on paper—is a bit head-scratching.
Think about it. We’re talking about a 37-year-old coming off a 15-month layoff and back-to-back defeats. If you stripped away the names and just looked at the stats, you’d likely be sprinting to back the 4/1 underdog with a 90% knockout rate and 13 first-round finishes.
Makhmudov can bang, and his best chance of winning this fight will be to attack when Fury’s most vulnerable – the early rounds.
After 15 months on the sidelines, it may take the Brit some time to find his feet. His opponent, on the other hand, has already proved he only needs one good shot to cause problems.
Now, you might think I'm tipping a massive upset here, but that’s not the play.
Instead, I'm backing Fury to be knocked down and still win the fight.
We’ve seen this script before. The Gypsy King has hit the canvas in six different professional bouts and still managed to dig deep and win four of them. Neven Pajkic, Steve Cunningham, Deontay Wilder, and Francis Ngannou all dropped him, yet none could keep him down.
If Makhmudov capitalises early and clips Fury with a bomb, history suggests Fury has the resilience to weather the storm and finish on top. At 6/1, it’s an outside bet, but one with plenty of historical evidence to back it up.
My 6/1 Bet is Live
Out of the three best bets, I've backed the biggest one with William Hill. Having used the bookie for many years, I was not able to claim the William Hill welcome offer. However, if you're new, make sure to use their ‘Bet £10 Get £40' mobile exclusive sports promotion.
