A three-time world heavyweight champion has a hallowed place in the annals of boxing history. They are rare indeed and only the very best manage to reach that status. With Tyson Fury returning to the sport, will he be able to join that august company?

Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko are legendary fighters who preceded Fury and became three-time heavyweight world champions.

Fury has had two reigns as a world heavyweight titlist, after beating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder five years later.

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After losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 and being denied undisputed glory, Fury retired at the start of last year. But he elected to return and will box Aslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 in the UK.

His goal is to beat Makhmudov and a line up a bigger fight later in 2026. Fury’s major British rival is Anthony Joshua, though it is unclear what AJ’s next move will be as he recovers from bereavement, having lost two friends in a car accident in Nigeria in which he also sustained minor injuries.

The four major world titles are currently held between Usyk and Ipswich man Fabio Wardley. The Ukrainian is the unified WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight champion while Wardley is the WBO titlist.

Does Fury intend to return to the top of the division and win another heavyweight title? Top trainer and boxing expert Joe Gallagher believes that’s what Fury is coming back for, telling Sky Sports: “I think that might be what’s motivating him, whoever that may be against we’ll have to sit back and see.”

Becoming a three-time champion at heavyweight is a daunting feat, that’s why so few have managed it before, but Gallagher does see it as a possibility for Fury.

“It all depends,” the Manchester trainer said. “There’s talk about Fabio Wardley. That’s a good fight.

“Obviously the big fight would be AJ, but then would it be third time lucky with Usyk? He’s got lots of options open to him.

“I wouldn’t write him off. I think he has got the capabilities of being a three-time world champion.”

Winning a trilogy fight with Usyk though would be hard. “That depends on how much time is catching up with Usyk. He himself has had time off,” Gallagher added.

“Could [Fury win]? You can’t rule it out at heavyweight. Would he? Will he? I’m not sure. I don’t know whether you meet someone who just has your number.”

Even April’s comeback fight against Makhmudov might not necessarily be straightforward.

“He’s got to be on the ball because this kid’s coming to grab the opportunity with both hands. Full credit to Tyson Fury, taking that type of opponent,” Gallagher said. “He’s coming back with a difficult opponent.

“[Makhmudov] comes forward in straight lines, I think Tyson Fury’s angles, side to side [movement and] boxing IQ [will win it]. But he can’t sit on the ropes upright because the kid can throw a good right hand, straight arrows on him.

“Fair play to him, he hasn’t took an easy fight to come back. He is somebody that has to be respected,” Gallagher added. “He’s out training in the snow.

“We’ve seen a couple of fights where [Fury] came back, he got cuts in, he wasn’t at the races in some of them.”

Gallagher does though welcome Fury’s return. Boxing has been a quieter sport in his absence.

“I just think enjoy him while he’s here for the remainder of his career, whether it’s 12 months, 12 weeks or whatever,” he said. “As you know he can wake up one morning and he’s retired, he’s packed it in.

“Boxing’s short of characters and when you have someone like Tyson Fury, he’s a character, he’s a good fighter and he most probably wants a chance to become a three-time world champion.”