Tyson Fury has retired and turned down a fight with Anthony Joshua
Former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has officially announced his retirement from the sport following his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
On January 13, Tyson Fury posted a video on his personal social media with a message:
“I’ll make this quick and short, I’m announcing my decision to retire from boxing. It’s been amazing. I loved every second of it, and I’m going to end it. Dick Turpin wore a mask,” Tyson Fury said, referencing Dick Turpin, a notorious 18th-century highwayman from England, in an ambiguous message.
Immediately, Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, also commented on “The Gypsy King’s” decision:
“I wish him the best of luck, and may God bless him. I empathize with him. He’s been part of some of the most exciting fights, especially his second comeback; those were thrilling bouts. I’m very happy for him, and I hope his family will enjoy the fruits of his labor.”
Tyson Fury announced his retirement on his personal social media
Tyson Fury began his professional boxing career in 2008 and made his first significant mark by defeating “Dr. Steelhammer” Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, claiming the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. The story of the premature baby who later became a 2.06-meter giant and a new icon in British boxing inspired many young fighters and became a source of hope for the British media in the quest for a new era of dominance.
However, in 2016, Fury made the decision to relinquish his titles due to issues with weight control, a lack of motivation to compete, and the culmination of scandals involving doping and cocaine use.
In 2018, Fury made his official comeback and continued to dominate the boxing world with three epic bouts against Deontay Wilder, winning the WBC heavyweight title. The Fury vs. Wilder trilogy is regarded as one of the greatest in boxing history, on par with legendary rivalries like Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier, Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward, and Evander Holyfield vs. Riddick Bowe.
Between 2018 and 2023, Tyson Fury added nine more victories to his record, including wins over big names like Dillian Whyte, Derek Chisora, and former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
Fury’s first defeat came in May 2024 when he faced Oleksandr Usyk in a fight to determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the 21st century. In their rematch in December, Fury was unable to reclaim his titles, suffering a second loss to Usyk by decision.
The year 2024 saw two comprehensive defeats for Tyson Fury against Oleksandr Usyk
However, there is still some skepticism about Tyson Fury’s retirement announcement, especially given his mention of the phrase “Dick Turpin wore a mask” – often used to describe situations where someone feels deceived or tricked. This has led to speculation regarding the potential fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, which could still take place in 2025.
A few weeks ago, Anthony Joshua expressed his intention to face Tyson Fury in a “UK showdown” between the two most famous boxing figures from the country. Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, even targeted Wembley Stadium in London as the ideal venue for the fight.
However, in response to Fury’s announcement, Eddie Hearn offered a more cautious statement.
“I think if you’ve lost the passion and no longer want to compete, then retirement is probably the best option,” Eddie Hearn said.
“Clearly, this is disappointing for boxing fans in the UK because I think we had a chance to make the biggest fight, but if this is the last time we see him, he’s had a great career.”
“I doubt it, but clearly, it’s the best move when you retire and make others pay a large sum to bring you back.”
Tyson Fury’s retirement intention might indeed be genuine, given the extensive time he dedicated to his recent bouts with Oleksandr Usyk. Now, the 1988-born fighter may choose to enjoy his substantial earnings from these fights with his wife Paris Fury and their seven children.
