Tyson Fury:

"People always question retirement for me. I've retired five times before and meant it wholeheartedly. I've come back four times successfully and we'll see if it's five.

"Make no mistake when I retire I have zero intention of returning but I miss the game. However, after a few months I am bored of the normal life. Dropping the kids off at school, taking the dogs for a walk, that kind of stuff. I miss everything that comes with big fights.

"This time there were a couple of defining moments and one of them was Anthony Joshua's crash in Nigeria. I thought life is very short. When things like that happen it certifies tomorrow is not guaranteed.

"You have got to live every day like it is your last and enjoy. I thought to myself I still have got love for this game and I know I can still do it, so that is why I am coming back."

Image source, Getty Images

Tyson Fury's manager Spencer Brown:

"He was with his family and he was having a great time with his family [during retirement].

"So he didn't want to come back straight away, and he had a long think about it."

"This won't be just a flash in the pan. After this fight I think you'll see Tyson go on to some big things.

"This is a homecoming for Tyson. He's back in the UK.

"I've never seen him so happy in a camp. I just see a massive performance from Tyson on Saturday."

Queensberry promoter Frank Warren:

"Some of the best fights in the heavyweight division involved Tyson. His last fight against [Deontay] Wilder had me on the edge of my seat.

"He's on the road again to show he is the best. You're seeing a special fighter.

"He is back, and he has had 18 months out. He had a fantastic year last year and he believes.

"A lot of people believe he will become world champion, again. Every time he gets involved in a fight the build-up, there is nothing like it. Once he steps into that ring, you always get a top-quality fight."

Image source, Getty Images

Arslan Makhmudov on whether he can beat Tyson Fury:

"Tyson Fury is a great boxer. You don't have to go for a knockout you can also be a good boxer and that's what I need to do.

"Listen to my coach and this is my goal. What is going to happen? We don't know. Nobody knows what is going to happen."

On whether Fury's time out of the ring will be an issue:

"It's not a problem for him because of his experience. Maybe it's the opposite because he can recover from hard fights in the past."

Tyson Fury is asked whether he's been training with bears. For context there are stories about Arslanbek Makhmudov doing that in the past:

"There were no bears but Joseph Parker was there.

"I don't remember having such a positive camp. When you get to my age there are always injuries but thank God I got through this one in one piece.

"I am here in one piece. Every time I have come back it is bigger every time. I am back for the fifth time, so it is extravagant."

Tyson Fury's not said anything yet.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Arslan Makhmudov on taking a photo with Tyson Fury 10 years ago:

"I took a photo, I was and still am his fan. But on Saturday it's about my story."

Over to the fighters and first up is Arslan Makhmudov:

"I'm excited to be in this kind of event and this big show with big names.

"I don't feel pressure because God prepared me for the this moment all my life. I believe this is my time."

Image source, Reuters

Arslan Makhmudov's trainer Marc Ramsay is first to the microphone:

"You work all your life to get these kinds of opportunities. We had a good training camp with no injuries and are just ready to fight."

On how you prepare for Tyson Fury:

"You can't find all the quality of a fighter in one training partner so you need a multitude of sparring partners to get ready."

"Listen, we are going to give the fans exactly what they deserve - a good fight. It is a good mix for fans. Let's believe in some action."

Lennox Lewis
Heavyweight legend on Netflix

I think Tyson Fury needed boxing more than boxing needed him. I think he missed boxing. This is his chance to come back and prove himself. He doesn't feel good about his retirement.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at The Pelligon, London

There has also been plenty of chatter online about ticket sales for Saturday’s fight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Some resale sites appear to be listing seats at surprisingly low prices, but we should approach those listings with caution. Ticket conditions typically prohibit resale, meaning those purchases may not actually guarantee entry.

It's also worth mentioning on Ticketmaster most of the tickets seem to be sold and generally a lot of tickets are shipped in the final days before the fight.

Still, the conversation around tickets does highlight that this fight has not quite caught fire yet. Even for a global name like Tyson Fury, boxing still tends to work best when both fighters bring star power. You often need the right dance partner to really sell a fight, especially a stadium bout.

Here we go.

Ring announcer Michael Buffer is introducing the fighters to the stage.

Arslan Makhmudov looks very smart and understated in a blazer.

Not the same for Tyson Fury, who is in a very loud suit. Fury walks across the stage to shake hands with Makhmudov before taking his seat.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

Despite not fighting for 15 months, Tyson Fury insists the fire is still there to compete and his latest return was sparked by a few training sessions while on holiday on December.

Just four months on, Fury is preparing to get his career back up and running.

So, WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley thinks Tyson Fury should call it a day and retire if he loses against Arslan Makhmudov on Saturday.

But Wardley does expect Fury to come through the contest without too much difficulty as he attempts to plough a path back towards a world title.

Do you think Fury has what it takes to become a three-time world champion?

Fabio Wardley
Heavyweight world champion

Image source, Getty Images

Arslan Makhmudov is a very well-picked opponent for a number of reasons. He looks and sounds the part – a strong, aggressive and powerful Russian - but stylistically he's kind of perfect for Tyson Fury.

What Makhmudov does is relatively simple. He lacks agility and punch variation. Don't get me wrong, if he clocks you, it hurts and you will feel it - but for Fury, someone who's always on the move and hard to pin down, an opponent who is a bit heavier on his feet is the right fit.

If I were in Makhmudov's corner, I'd say rush him - not blindly, but get close, get on his chest and get in front of him. Makhmudov is a big, weighty, strong guy and he needs to use that. At range, 100 out of 100 times he will lose - Fury will just pick him off and break him down.

His best bet is to get close and just keep working. Body, arms, shoulders, head - wherever. Just keep working for 12 rounds and see if that long lay-off takes a toll on Tyson.

There's always that concern about complacency, and we saw with Francis Ngannou that Fury switched off and got caught. At this stage of Fury's career, there's no space for error. He has to get it right. But I think he'll have learned his lesson there.

Kal Sajad
BBC Sport at The Pelligon, London

Tyson Fury is rarely short of a headline.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday, he said he wants Anthony Joshua next and dismissed both Derek Chisora and Doentay Wilder as "finished".

But this build-up has been relatively restrained by his standards. There has been little hostility toward opponent Arslanbek Makhmudov, and the rivalry has not had the usual edge. Fury even blew his opponent a kiss as they scaled the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday.

That said, Fury rarely resists the chance to put on a show. Whether it is an extravagant suit, a theatrical speech or an off-the-cuff rant, there is usually something memorable when he steps up to the microphone.