Barely three weeks after his defeat against the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, the British Tyson Fury, two-time world heavyweight champion, announced Monday that he was ending his career at the age of 36.
“I’ll keep it short. I would like to announce my retirement from boxing. It was a pleasure. I loved every second”said the Briton in a short video posted on his Instagram account.
He then concludes his remarks with an enigmatic message: “Dick Turpin (an 18th century bandit, Editor’s note) wore a mask. God bless everyone, we’ll see you on the other side.”…
It is therefore difficult to know whether the declarations of the « Gypsy King » are to be taken seriously, the Briton having already announced several times in the past that he was hanging up his gloves, before turning around.
For example, he promised to retire after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, believing that he had not “nothing left to prove to anyone”but finally returned to competition a few months later.
Already in 2016, a few days after the revelation of a positive test for cocaine, he indicated that he was ending his career, then returned to his comments a few hours later. “Hahahaha, you thought you could get rid of the Gipsy King so easily!” I’m here to stay”he said at the time.
“Who knows? »
World boxing superstar, who went through very dark phases between depression, suicidal thoughts and suspension for doping, Tyson Fury suffered two setbacks during his long-awaited diptych against Oleksandr Usyk.
In the first round last May, the Ukrainian inflicted on the Briton the first defeat of his career, winning by split decision at the end of a fight which had kept all its promises, and on this occasion becoming unified champion of the premier category, a feat which had not been achieved for 25 years.
For their « rematch » on December 21, again in Riyadh, Usyk was this time awarded the victory by the three judges, after a confrontation less impressive than the first leg.
This new defeat had obviously been difficult for the Briton to overcome. “In my mind, there is no doubt that I won this fight”he then said.
Asked following this setback whether the public would see him in a ring again, Fury replied: “Maybe, maybe not. Who knows? »
“Let him benefit from it”
If he keeps his word this time, the Briton, a 2.06 m force of nature, would therefore retire with a remarkable record of 34 victories, including 24 by knockout, for a draw and two defeats. His Dantesque victories against Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder will go down in the annals of boxing.
A real retirement would nevertheless mean that he would give up facing another former world champion, Anthony Joshua, in a 100% British shock that has been hoped for for several years by fans of the noble art.
Contacted by the BBC, Frank Warren, the Briton’s promoter, said he had not spoken with Fury before this surprise announcement. “I always said there was no way I would try to influence him in any way.”Warren said.
“If that’s what he wants to do, that’s great. He did everything he could do. He was probably the best British heavyweight of his generation, by far”he continued.
“Two times world champion, two very competitive fights against Usyk. He has a lot of money, he has peace of mind, he has a beautiful family. God bless him and enjoy it. »
