Following back-to-back losses against Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from the sport of boxing.
The two-time heavyweight champion, who had statement wins over Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder, has disregarded the opportunity for a mega money bout against Anthony Joshua in favour of hanging up the gloves.
Speaking to IFL TV, Fury’s longtime promoter Frank Warren said that he wasn’t privy to the decision until he watched the announcement like everybody else.
“No [I wasn’t aware] at all, but if that’s his decision, God bless him and good luck to him. He deserves to be happy and if that makes him happy I’m delighted for him. I’m pleased he’s made his mind up [on] what he wants to do.”
Warren was then strong on the point that he would not be trying to change his charge’s mind before celebrating his storied career.
“I certainly won’t be trying to sway him out of it and I don’t believe anybody who cares about him will either. If he wants to do it, that’s up to him.
The bottom line of all this is Tyson has been a great servant for British boxing, for world boxing. He’s been an unbelievable two-time world champion in some of the most exciting fights of his generation and world heavyweight boxing over the years. For me, him and Usyk are the two best heavyweights of the 21st century. No doubt about that in my mind.”
Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) strongly felt that he won both Usyk bouts, and seemed to reference that in his announcement as one of the reasons behind his retirement. He has left the sport and returned twice in the past, once after the Klitschko win and then again after beating Dillian Whyte in 2022.
