• The fight was a one-way drubbing, but the real action happened after the final bell.
• One fighter refused to play along and it may have been the smartest move of the night.
• A sixth retirement announcement wouldn't shock anyone at this point.

Tyson Fury shook off the rust from a 17-month absence to score a unanimous decision win (120-108x2, 119-109) over Arslanbek Makhmudov.

There was no drama in this one-way drubbing. Fury and Turki Alalshikh saved that for the post-fight interview. During an entertaining sequence that could have been on another Netflix program, WWE's Monday Night Raw, Alalshikh and Fury took the mic and attempted to force Anthony Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn into the ring for a faceoff.

Despite Fury's entertaining histrionics, Hearn and Joshua didn't move. The latter stared a hole through Fury. The production crew threw Joshua a mic and he briefly explained why he wouldn't climb in the ring for a faceoff. Joshua said, "I'm the boss." He called Fury "a clout chaser."

Joshua said there are actual negotiations in the works, and when something is definitive, he'll climb in the ring. He clearly didn't want to be a part of the circus. Ariel Helwani and others enjoyed the "theater." I cannot disagree with them.

As it is, if and when they fight, that cold stare will become a meme for better or for worse. As for the fight, there wasn’t much to see. Makhmudov won the first round on one judge's scorecard, but was taken apart at the seams the other 11. Makhmudov looked elementary most of the night and for the final four rounds, he looked to be in survival mode and barely trying to win. It was actually pretty embarrassing.

What Happened in the Fight?

Fury wasn't in tip-top physical shape, even by his standards, but he was more than capable of passing this rudimentary test. The scorecards told the story at 120-108 on two cards and 119-109 on the third.

Makhmudov won the first round on one judge’s card and was outclassed the rest of the way. The Wilder vs. Chisora results piece from last week was a far more competitive heavyweight affair.

What Happened After the Fight?

The post-fight was better than the fight. Fury and Alalshikh grabbed the mic and tried to coax Joshua and Hearn into the ring. Joshua sat stone-faced in the crowd before being thrown a mic.

"I’m the boss," Joshua said. He called Fury "a clout chaser" and said he'd enter the ring when something is definitive. That cold stare will live on social media for a long time.

Is the Fury-Joshua Fight Happening?

The fight seems to be on the way, but Fury has proven to be unpredictable throughout his career. Just as confidently as he called Joshua out on Saturday, no one would be shocked if he announced his sixth retirement on Monday. We'll have to wait and see.

Joshua acknowledged that negotiations are in the works. Alalshikh’s involvement gives the fight a financial foundation. The Fury vs. Makhmudov card preview laid out the stakes heading into tonight.

What Does This Mean for Both Fighters?

Quite honestly, both men need a tune-up fight before facing each other. Joshua's last fight was against Jake Paul. But afterward, he was in the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of two of his friends and team members in December 2025. He needs time to get himself together mentally, physically and emotionally. He said as much in a separate post-fight interview.

Fury looked capable but not sharp. The 17-month layoff showed. A mid-summer fight between the two seems unrealistic. Late 2026 or early 2027 is more likely.