Former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing.
The 36-year-old, who last fought in December when he lost his rematch against WBA (Super), WBC and WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk. Fury previously announced his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022 but returned six months later.
Enjoying two stints as heavyweight champion, with a record of 34 wins, two defeats and one draw. He said: "Hi everybody, I'm going to make this short and sweet.
"I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing. It has been a blast, and loved every single minute of it and I'm going to end with this; Dick Turpin wore a mask."
The Manchester-born fighter shocked long-reigning world champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. After over two-and-a-half years out of the ring, during which he tackled mental health issues, Fury returned to action in 2018 and became a two-time champion by beating Deontay Wilder to claim the WBC belt in 2020.
His decision to retire would deny fans of the chance to see a long-anticipated clash with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua, who said that a fight with Fury would have to happy this year. Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has however questioned the legitimacy of Fury's announcement.
He said: "We've been here before. If that is the end, congratulations on a great career.
"One of the best heavyweights of this generation and made a bucket load of money. If your hearts not in it, if the fight has been punched out of you, it's definitely time to call it quits.
"A few people will always suggest that he could be calling a bluff, but I don't know him well enough to give you an answer. If you don't want it anymore, if your hearts not in it anymore, if you've had the fight punched out of you – it's a dangerous game."
Joshua and Fury have been leading figures in the heavyweight division over the past decade, but both are looking to bounce back from losses. Joshua suffered the fourth defeat of his career against IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September, while Fury's last two trips to the ring have ended in losses against Usyk.
"You do not want to get in the ring with Anthony Joshua if you're doing it for money," Hearn added.
"For me,” he went on to say, “when that fight with AJ is a fight that can be made in two minutes in a room, I am always hopeful.
“But Tyson Fury's earned the right to make his own decisions. If he's done, then, he's done!
“If not, we’ll make the biggest fight in the history of the sport. Only time will tell.
