Julius OkorieFormer heavyweight boxer, Tyson Fury, has announced surprise retirement from boxing just when an all British clash between him and Anthony Joshua is being fine-tuned.
Fury’s decision comes just two days after promoter, Eddie Hearn, disclosed that Wembley Stadium had been earmarked for a highly anticipated match between Tyson Fury and fellow Briton heavyweight fighter, Anthony Joshua, set to take place this summer.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAnthony Joshua who recently enjoyed a memorable Yuletide among his kinsmen in Ogun State, Nigeria, had said he was looking forward to fighting Fury this year even though the two fighters are currently holding no official belts.
Recall that Joshua lost his last fight to Daniel Dubois just as Fury lost his last two fights to Oleksandr Usyk.
Despite that, Fury’s retirement from the sport came as a surprise to most boxing enthusiasts, given the hype his potential bout with Joshua is already generating.
“I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing,” the British boxer said in a video he posted on his Instagram page.
“It’s been a blast. I have loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this – Dick Turpin wore a mask!”
While the last part of his message was not clear, the consolation is that this is not the first time Fury announced his retirement. In fact some boxing die-hards are taking the retirement announcement with a pinch of salt because of the possibility of making a U-turn. Recall that in April 2022, after a triumphant victory over Dillian Whyte, the British boxer declared that he would be stepping away from the ring for good.
However, he made a comeback just six months later, engaging in a trilogy bout against Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, reigniting excitement among his fans.
The “Gypsy King”, 36, last fought on December 21 when he lost his rematch against WBA, WBC and WBO champion Usyk in Riyadh. He gave the first hint of possible retirement after the fight in Riyadh.
Asked after the fight whether the public would see him fight again, Fury said: “You might do, you might not do. Who knows?”
Fury enjoyed two stints as heavyweight champion and retires with a record of 34 wins, two defeats and one draw.
Frank Warren, who promotes Fury, told the BBC he had not spoken to the boxer prior to his retirement announcement.
READ ALSO: Get Ready To Be Pummeled Again, Usyk Warns Tyson Fury
“I’ve said all along that there is no way I will be trying in any way to influence him,” Warren said.
“If that is what he wants to do, that’s great. He’s done everything he can do. Probably been the best British heavyweight of his generation by far.
“Two-time world champion had two closely fought fights against Usyk. He’s got plenty of money, got his wits about him, got a lovely family. God bless him, enjoy.”
Recall that all three judges scored last month’s fight in Saudi Arabia 116-112 in Usyk’s favour.
Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, said he doubted it was the end of the road for Fury.
“If you haven’t got a heart for it anymore and you don’t want to compete anymore, I think retirement is the best option,” Hearn said.
“Disappointing obviously for British fight fans because we’ve got the chance to make the biggest fight in boxing but if that is the last we see of him, he’s had a great career. I doubt it (is the last time we will see him box).”
Fury became world champion for the first time when he shocked Ukraine’s Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015, becoming WBA, IBF and WBO champion.
He was then out of the ring for more than two-and-a-half years, during which he tackled mental health issues.
He bounced back into action in 2018 and became a two-time champion by beating Deontay Wilder to claim the WBC belt in 2020 in the second of a trilogy of fights against the American.
He overcame a big scare against converted MMA fighter Francis Ngannou in 2023, before losing twice to Usyk last year.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
