Tommy Fury is set to make his long-awaited return to the boxing ring tonight, Friday, May 9, 2025, as he faces Bosnian fighter Kenan Hanjalic in a cruiserweight bout at the MTK Arena in Budapest, Hungary. This marks Fury's first fight in nearly 18 months, having last stepped into the ring in October 2023, where he secured a controversial victory over social media star KSI.
Fury, who turned 26 this week, has been sidelined for the entirety of 2024 while recovering from surgery, making this comeback even more significant for the young boxer. He has expressed his determination to regain his momentum in the ring and improve upon his undefeated record of 10-0, which includes four knockouts.
The fight card for the evening promises an exciting lineup, with the main event ringwalks anticipated around 10:00 PM BST. The entire card will be streamed live on DAZN, starting at 7:30 PM BST. Fans can expect to see Fury take on Hanjalic alongside other bouts, including his brother Roman Fury, who will face Josip Pehar in a heavyweight clash.
Fury's last fight against KSI was a high-profile affair that garnered significant attention, but his journey back to the ring has not been without its challenges. Initially, he was scheduled to face former UFC star Darren Till earlier this year; however, that bout fell through after Fury withdrew, citing concerns over Till's threats to use MMA tactics.
As he prepares for tonight's match, Fury has reflected on the difficulties he faced during his time away from the sport. “I've never had another job outside of boxing. I've always thought, breathed, and ate boxing. When you do that for such a long time, and then all of a sudden, you’re sat in a hospital bed, and you're thinking to the future,” Fury stated. “You know, you fall into a little bit of a dark place, and obviously, being in a position where boxing is everything, the fact that I couldn't do that... I just thought, sod it all.”
His opponent, Kenan Hanjalic, 27 years old, boasts a professional record of 5-1, with four of those wins coming by knockout. Hanjalic has an extensive amateur background, having participated in over 100 amateur bouts, which he believes has prepared him for this pivotal encounter. “I come from Sarajevo and proudly represent Gladiator Club Sarajevo. I'm stepping into the ring on May 9 in Budapest to face Tommy Fury with one mission – to win,” Hanjalic said confidently.
The bout is expected to be a crucial stepping stone for both fighters. Fury aims to shake off any ring rust and assert his dominance in the cruiserweight division, while Hanjalic hopes to make a name for himself by pulling off an upset against the more experienced Fury.
Tonight's fight card includes several other intriguing matchups, such as Shokhjakhon Abdullaev taking on Irakli Alanidze and Valentin Koloszar facing Alexandru Ionita. The undercard will commence at 7:00 PM BST, with the main event expected to follow shortly after 10:00 PM BST.
As the boxing world eagerly anticipates Fury's return, the atmosphere in Budapest is electric, with fans and pundits alike keen to see how the former Love Island star-turned-boxer will perform after such a lengthy hiatus. Fury has been vocal about his desire to return to form and reclaim his status in boxing, stating, “This is the most important fight of my life and it's important for me to get through that.”
In addition to the personal stakes, tonight's fight also holds implications for Fury's future plans in the sport. A successful return could pave the way for high-profile matchups later in the year, as he looks to solidify his place among the elite in boxing.
As the clock ticks down to fight time, all eyes will be on Tommy Fury as he steps back into the ring, ready to face Kenan Hanjalic in what promises to be an exhilarating night of boxing. Whether Fury can extend his record to 11-0 remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the excitement surrounding his return is palpable.
