Tommy Fury made a winning return to the ring on Friday night, May 9, 2025, defeating Kenan Hanjalic in a six-round cruiserweight bout at the MTK Arena in Budapest. Fury secured a unanimous points decision victory, marking his first fight in nearly two years since his win over KSI in October 2023. The British boxer, who improved his professional record to 11-0, dedicated the win to his partner Molly-Mae Hague and expressed gratitude for overcoming personal struggles in the past two years.
Fury, 26, had spent 18 months away from the sport due to hand surgery and personal challenges, including dealing with alcoholism and family issues. In a heartfelt post-fight speech, he said, "I just want to say thank you for this victory to the Lord Saviour Jesus Christ, without him, none of this would be possible. I want to say hello to my beautiful baby girl, Bambi, at home, and my sweetheart, Molly. She'll always be mine forever. And I want to dedicate this to my mother and father because without them, I wouldn't be breathing. I wouldn't be here."
Fury's opponent, Hanjalic, came into the fight with a record of five wins and one loss. Despite a tough performance from the Bosnian, who had a point deducted in the fourth round, Fury managed to maintain control throughout the six rounds. Although Fury showed signs of ring rust, he ultimately outpointed Hanjalic, who suffered just the second defeat of his career.
In the ring, Fury displayed a mix of aggression and caution, often engaging in clinches with Hanjalic. He struggled to find his rhythm early on, but as the fight progressed, he began to utilize his jab effectively, frustrating Hanjalic's attempts to counter. Fury commented on his opponent's experience, stating, "I fought a guy in here tonight who's had over 100 amateur fights, an experienced hitter, and he's as tough as teeth."
The match, held in front of a small crowd compared to the thousands who attended his previous fights, was a low-key affair. Fury's brother, Roman Fury, also fought on the undercard, securing a victory over Josip Pehar, which added to the family's success in the ring.
Fury's return was not without its challenges. He had originally been scheduled to fight former UFC fighter Darren Till earlier this year, but that bout was canceled due to concerns over Till's threats to use 'MMA tactics' in the ring. Instead, Fury took on Hanjalic, a fighter who had primarily competed in smaller venues across Europe.
After the fight, Fury turned his attention to a potential rematch with Jake Paul, the only boxer to have defeated him in his professional career. Fury, who previously beat Paul by split decision in February 2023, expressed his eagerness to face him again, stating, "Jake Paul's a b**** and he's running scared. Hey, Jake, the hand is fixed now, baby. If Jake Paul wants to step inside the ring, I guarantee next time, I will knock you spark out."
Fury's remarks came as Paul prepares for his upcoming bout against ex-WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 28, 2025. Paul, who has made headlines for his celebrity boxing matches, has fought notable opponents like Mike Tyson and MMA fighter Nate Diaz since his bout with Fury.
As Fury looks to the future, he remains focused on building his career and maintaining his unbeaten record. His victory over Hanjalic not only signifies a successful return to the ring but also highlights his resilience in overcoming personal battles. He remarked, "I've been through a hell of a lot these last two years, including battling alcoholism and losing my family for a bit. But I've turned things around, I've gone from being low to being on top of the world again."
With a perfect record now standing at 11-0, including four wins by knockout, Fury's career trajectory continues to rise. The boxing community eagerly anticipates his next steps, especially a potential rematch with Paul, which could bring significant financial rewards and further solidify his status in the sport.
As the dust settles on this latest victory, fans and analysts alike are left wondering whether Fury will get the chance to avenge his only loss and if he can continue his upward momentum in the boxing world.
