The heavyweights will meet on April 11 in the UK, with Fury, 37, returning to the ring to face The Lion, 36, in a Netflix-backed event promoted by Ring Magazine.
Makhmudov is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: “It’s a dream fight for me. All my life I was dreaming about fighting him. This fight is everything for me.”
The Lion insisted he is confident of exploiting weaknesses in Fury’s game despite acknowledging his own imperfections.
He said: “Yes, I feel very good about myself. Everybody has flaws, but I feel great because my last wins gave me good confidence. I’m ready to go for the win. I go to do my best, my job, and go for the win.”
Fury is entering the bout following back-to-back points defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, 39, in 2024, losses that saw The Gypsy King relinquish his world titles and briefly announce his retirement.
After nearly a year away from the ring, the former two-time heavyweight champion reversed that decision and has been training in Thailand ahead of his return.
The April clash will be Fury’s first fight on British soil since stopping Derek Chisora, 42, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December 2022, and is widely viewed as a reintroduction before a potential summer blockbuster.
However, Makhmudov has made clear he is not arriving to make up the numbers.
He said: “I’m thrilled about the opportunity. Tyson Fury has been a big champion. I will be more ready than ever to leave with a massive win.”
Makhmudov’s record includes losses only to high-level opposition, including Agit Kabayel, 33, now the WBC interim champion, and Olympian Guido Vianello, 31.
His most recent outing, a points win over Dave Allen, 33, in October 2025, helped position him for this opportunity.
Fury - who famously dethroned Wladimir Klitschko, 49, in 2015 and later emerged from a trilogy with Deontay Wilder, 40, as WBC champion - has spoken enthusiastically about his comeback.
Speaking on social media after the fight was confirmed, he said: “I told you there was a big announcement coming. I’m absolutely psyched, ready to fight. April, UK. I’ve been away a while but I’m back now.”
