Why Tyson Fury compared himself to Donald Trump ahead of comeback fight

On April 11, Fury will end his 16-month retirement from the sport, facing Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

For some fight fans, Fury's frequent retirement U-turns are becoming tiresome, but in the eyes of 'The Gypsy King', boxing is a sport that he believes needs him if it is to continue going from strength to strength. 

Fury claims boxing is suffering without him

At Monday's launch press conference, Fury did not fail to deliver with a number of memorable lines that will provoke a reaction. 

Arguably, the standout is his quest to "make boxing great again" after claiming the sport is on a downward spiral whenever he is not an active fighter. 

Comparing himself to US President Donald Trump, Fury was confident he could return boxing to its former glory due to all the fanfare that comes with any fight he is involved in. 

"There’s only one answer, and that’s to make boxing great again," Fury responded when asked why he was coming back.

"Since I retired for a fifth time, boxing has gone on a downward slope, it’s become quite boring. Boxing is at its maximum potential when Tyson Fury is actively fighting.

"I bring a circus, I bring an entourage, I bring entertainment, I bring action, I bring cameras, I bring everything to the sport."

Is Fury right about boxing's downward spiral?

DAZN News Sportswriter Matt Astbury

Fury is never afraid to speak his mind, but has boxing been on the decline? 

The heavyweight division alone is the strongest it has been in recent memory. 

WBO champion Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois will meet in a slugfest on May 9, while unified champion Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered to face the hard-hitting German Agit Kabayel if he wants to keep hold of his WBC belt. 

Then there are the epic contests being made in the lower weight classes, and it continues this Saturday night when Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia meet for the WBC welterweight title, exclusively live on DAZN PPV and Ultimate Tier. 

But one thing is for sure, Fury's personality is one that boxing thrives off. 

Sitting opposite an emotionless Makhmudov, Fury was relishing the prospect of being involved in big-time boxing once more and looking forward to inflicting significant damage on his foe. 

"I’m looking forward to punching his face in. It’s been a while, and I missed it," Fury said. 

"I’m going to make his face look like a butcher’s block after four rounds. I know he can’t keep out of the way of my punches."

It's lines like this that make Fury a one-of-a-kind athlete. One who is not afraid to speak his mind, whilst also putting on a show inside the ring. 

Boxing may not be on a downward spiral, but it sure is a much better place with Fury in it, and if anything, its popularity will surge with one of its biggest names back in action. 

Now it will be a case as to whether Fury can deliver his promise of making boxing great again. 

3 fight nights, 1 unmissable weekend - only on DAZN

Watch three amazing fights this weekend - Feb 21-22 - exclusively on DAZN. It's Barrios vs. Garcia for the WBC welterweight title on PPV, with Wood vs. Warrington II, and Shields vs. Crews-Dezurn II on DAZN subscription. Get all three all included with DAZN Ultimate Tier. 

For more information, pricing, and to watch, click here.