The Gypsy King returns to the ring for the first time in 16 months against the Russian fighter on Saturday (11.04.26) but Wardley thinks that defeat would spell the definitive "end of the road" for the former heavyweight world champion.

The WBO title holder wrote in his BBC Sport column: "If he does lose, I feel like that's the end of the road for the Gypsy King. I can't see him re-climbing the ranks and building himself back up.

"He probably should retire in that scenario – but knowing boxing and Fury, I don't think he would – he wouldn't want to leave the sport like that."

However, Wardley is expecting the British pugilist to earn a "comfortable" victory against Makhmudov.

He said: "I do think Fury wins on points – decisive, pretty clean and pretty comfortable. Not easy, but comfortable."

Fury's return to boxing comes after he announced his retirement from the sport following his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 and Wardley is pleased that one of the sweet science's biggest names is back in action.

The boxer said: "I never actually expected Fury to stay retired. It's great to have him back, active, posting on Instagram, doing his shout-outs and whatever he does.

"He is the biggest crossover star in British boxing – the guy with his own Netflix reality show, the guy who fought in the WWE.

"I didn't really feel like he was gone, more than he was just taking a break, as he does. When he said he was retired, I thought: 'We'll see you in a year.'"

However, Wardley is sceptical about Fury's hopes of becoming heavyweight world champion for a third time.

He said: "In the current state of the heavyweight division, I can't see how Fury becomes a world champion again.

"He would have to fight either me or Usyk – and do I think he can beat either of us? No."