Tyson Fury retires: Former world champion announces retirement again

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has announced his retirement. Fury's most recent fight was last December, when he lost in a rematch to WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk. The 36-year-old British boxer had previously announced his retirement after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, but returned to the ring six months later.

Fury has held the heavyweight title twice and has a professional record of 34 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. Fury stated, "Hello everyone, I'll keep it short and sweet. I'd like to announce my retirement from the sport of boxing, it's been a great journey and I've enjoyed every minute of it, and at the end I'd just like to say: Dick Turpin wore a mask."

In 2015, Fury shocked long-reigning champion Wladimir Klitschko to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. After more than two and a half years away from the sport, during which he dealt with mental health issues, Fury returned to the ring in 2018 and defeated Deontay Wilder in 2020 to claim the WBC belt and become a two-time champion.

Fury's decision to retire has deprived fans of the chance to see his long-awaited fight against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. Last Saturday, Joshua stated at The Ring awards ceremony that the fight with Fury "has to happen this year." However, Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, has cast doubt on the veracity of Fury's retirement announcement. Hearn told BBC Sport: "We've been here before. If this is the end, then congratulations on a great career."

Hearn continued, "He's one of the best heavyweights of this generation, he's made a lot of money. If your heart's not in it anymore, if the fire's gone, then it's absolutely time to retire. Some people will always think he's bluffing, but I don't know him well enough to give you that answer. If you don't want it anymore, if your heart's not in it, if the fire's gone - it's a dangerous game."

Joshua and Fury have been the leading figures in the heavyweight division for the past decade, but both are currently looking to bounce back from losses. Joshua suffered the fourth defeat of his career in September when he lost to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois, while Fury has lost his last two fights to Usyk. Hearn added, "If you're fighting Anthony Joshua for money, then you definitely don't want to do it. You have to want the victory, you have to want to deliver the biggest fight in the history of the sport for the British public. You have to want to fight Joshua and win. If it's just for money, you've got enough money."

Hearn also stated, "I'm always optimistic. For me, when a fight with Joshua can be agreed in a room in two minutes, I always hold out hope. But Tyson Fury is entitled to make his own decision. If he's decided to retire, then retire. If he hasn't, then let's have the biggest fight in the history of the sport. Only time will tell. Every boxing fan stops me in the street and asks when we're going to see that fight. Joshua has made it clear in the last few days that he's calling Fury out. That's very uncharacteristic of Anthony."

Hearn continued, "If Fury doesn't want the fight, there's nothing you can do. You can't force him to fight. I don't know if this is to stop the pressure flowing, because the pressure was building as Joshua was calling him out. It could be the start of a great build-up, great mind games, or it could be the end of Tyson Fury's career. The biggest fight in the history of our country is there for him. Will he walk away from it? Maybe."

Fury had an undefeated record of 34 wins and 1 draw before his first undisputed heavyweight bout in the four-belt era against Ukrainian boxer Usyk. Usyk won by split decision in the first fight and by unanimous decision in the rematch last month. Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, told BBC Radio 5 Live that he had not spoken to Fury before he announced his retirement. Warren said, "I've always said I would never try to influence him in any way. If that's what he wants to do, then fair enough. He's done everything he can do. He's probably the best British heavyweight of his generation. Two-time world champion, had two close fights with Usyk. He's got a lot of money, his head is clear, he's got a lovely family. God bless him, enjoy life."

Warren added, "He's become a global star. If you look at some of his fights, there's not one of them that wasn't exciting. Very, very exciting fights. He's got a massive heart, to be knocked down heavily and get back up and win fights. He's very special."

A quick look at the comments section of Fury's retirement announcement video tells you all you need to know. We've been here before, and few people truly believe the "Gypsy King." The general consensus is that Fury will be lured back into the ring. A mega-fight with Joshua has been in the works for years, and the enormous profits it would generate are enough to make it a reality - especially against the backdrop of Saudi-backed heavyweight showdowns. After Fury's loss to Usyk and Joshua's shock defeat to Daniel Dubois, this could be Fury's way of hyping up a fight that has lost some of its appeal; making the public think it will never happen, and then it does. Fury's shrewd boxing business acumen matches his ring intelligence.

If this is the end for the Morecambe fighter - and that's a big if - then he will go down as one of the greatest British heavyweights of the modern era, and there is certainly no shame in ending his career after losing to the generational great Oleksandr Usyk.