The three-time world heavyweight champion holds a hallowed place in boxing history. They are rare indeed and only the best achieve this status. With Tyson Fury back in action, could he join the venerable company?

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

Fury became the world heavyweight champion twice after defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 and Deontay Wilder five years later.

Fury retired early last year after losing to Usyk twice and missing out on undisputed glory in 2024. But he has chosen to return and will box in the UK on April 11 against Aslanbek Makhmudov.

His goal is to beat Makhmudov and compete in a bigger fight later in 2026. Fury’s main opponent in the UK is Anthony Joshua, although it’s unclear what AJ will do as he recovers from bereavement, having lost two friends and suffered minor injuries himself in a car crash in Nigeria.

The four world titles are currently held by Usyk and Fabio Wardley of Ipswich Town. The Ukrainian is the unified world heavyweight champion of the WBC, WBA and IBF, while Wardley is the WBO champion.

Is Fury planning to return to the top and win another heavyweight title? Top trainer and boxing expert Joe Gallagher believes this is what Fury is returning for, telling us sky sports: “I think that’s probably his motivation, and whoever is against it, we have to sit back and see.”

Becoming a heavyweight triple champion is a difficult feat, which is why so few have done it before, but Gallagher does think it’s possible for Fury to pull it off.

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

“Obviously, the biggest fight is going to be AJ, but will Usyk be third time lucky? He has a lot of options.

“I’m not going to write him off. I think he has the ability to be a three-time world champion.”

Winning a trilogy fight with Usyk will be difficult, though. “It depends on when it’s time to catch Usyk. He’s got his own break,” Gallagher added.

“Could (Fury win)? You can’t rule out heavyweight. Will he? Will he? I’m not sure. I don’t know if you meet a guy who only has your number.”

Even the comeback battle with Makhmudov in April won’t necessarily be smooth sailing.

“He’s got to keep the ball because this kid takes chances with both hands. Full credit to Tyson Fury for beating that type of opponent,” Gallagher said. “He’s back with a tough opponent.

“(Makhmudov) goes straight and I think Tyson Fury’s angles, side-to-side (movement and) boxing IQ (will win). But he can’t stand upright on the ropes because the kid can throw him a straight right hand.

“Fair play to him, he didn’t have an easy fight coming back. He’s a guy who has to be respected,” Gallagher added. “He was training in the snow.

“We’ve seen a couple of games where (Fury) came back, he was injured and some of those games he didn’t play.”

Gallagher does welcome Fury’s return. In his absence, boxing has become quieter.

“I just want to enjoy him for the rest of his career, whether it’s 12 months, 12 weeks or whatever,” he said. “As you know, he woke up one morning and retired and he had it all sorted.

“There’s a lack of personality in boxing and when you have someone like Tyson Fury, he’s a personality, he’s a good boxer and he’s probably going to want the chance to be a three-time world champion.”