Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from the sport of boxing following back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
The Brit aimed to become undisputed when he first faced Usyk, who previously collected all world titles at cruiserweight, back in May in 2024. Fury would lose a split decision and immediately trigger his contractual right to a rematch.
It was a unanimous decision for Usyk when they met again in December and, less than one month on, ‘The Gypsy King’ has said he will not fight again, though many in the sport believe he will given this is not his first retirement.
Although Fury has had a storied career and, as a two-time world heavyweight champion who starred in some thrilling fights, can hang up the gloves content, some feel he should stick around to finally face another former Usyk foe in Anthony Joshua. There is also the argument that he is still fighting well and that defeats to elite Usyk are nothing to be ashamed of.
Having shared 24 rounds with Fury, the Ukrainian has called him the best fighter he has faced, though he did, at the post-fight press conference, reveal that the second time around was easier.
“No, [this] fight was easier. Not easy but easier [than the first fight].”
Whilst both technical affairs, the rematch lacked the standout moments of danger for each man. Usyk withstood punishing bodywork and uppercuts from the Brit, shots he would later praise and admit that, in the moment, he was telling himseld to, “move, move, move” to avoid “hard pain.”
The same can be said for Fury, who was rocked badly in the ninth round of the first affair, stumbling around the ring and ultimately being kept up by the ropes to avoid a full knockdown but still receiving a count from the referee.
The big man from Morecambe feels he won both fights, particularly the return bout, for which he says he was “robbed.” That was alluded to, it seems, in his retirement announcement.
