Since his two defeats against the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 – the first two of his career – the “Gypsy King” was nothing more than a king without a crown. At 36, British boxer Tyson Fury, from a family of Irish travelers, announced on Monday January 13 that he was hanging up his gloves.
In a short and whimsical eighteen-second video shot in a car and posted on Instagram, Fury showed himself full of punch, reflecting his qualities, the pugilist with 34 victories, including 24 by K. -O. : “I’ll keep it short. I would like to announce my retirement from boxing. It was a pleasure. »
Enigmatic, he alluded to a famous English highwayman, who was active in the 18th century.e century : “Dick Turpin wore a mask. » In popular parlance, this means that while it is true that Turpin was a thief, he had the decency to hide his face in order to act.
Read also | Article reserved for our subscribers Tyson Fury against Oleksandr Usyk, a top boxing duel to become legendary
Read later
Should we take seriously this “character” of world boxing, whose sporting talent is as indisputable as his provocative and unpredictable side, and, above all, capable of returning to the ring within six months? Because he has already announced his departure several times. This was the case for the first time in 2016, following a positive test for cocaine, which he claimed “take to treat depression” et “suicidal thoughts. » He was suspended for two years.
In April 2022, after beating Dillian Whyte, Fury retired for a second time. It only lasted six months, before he put on the gloves again to challenge, for a third time, Derek Chisora, a British boxer born in Zimbabwe.
Far from his best level
A true force of nature, endowed with an extraordinary physique (2.06 m for a weight oscillating between 120 kg and 130 kg, depending on his state of form and his level of preparation), the famous heavyweight is more than a simple – and sometimes pathetic – entertainer. He has been world champion several times, including holder of the WBA, IBO and WBU belts in 2015 and 2016, also IBF champion in 2015 and WBC world champion between 2020 and 2023.
Originally from Manchester (northwest of England), Tyson Fury had moments of glory, thanks to his ability to inflict knockouts, his incredible mobility for his large size and the liveliness of his fists . In 2015, he defeated the almost invincible Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko in his adopted country, in Düsseldorf, Germany. The latter had not lost since 2004.
Newsletter
« Sport »
Surveys, reports, analyses: sports news in your email box every Saturday
Register
Three years later, the Briton, renowned for his formidable ability to absorb blows, got up at the last minute, counted up to nine by the referee, during a fight against the American champion Deontay Wilder. He even finally pushed him to his limits by snatching a draw. Two years later in Las Vegas (Nevada), Fury dominated the same opponent, causing the fight to be stopped prematurely in the seventh round and to the amazement of local fans.
For several years, the former world champion was far from his best level. In October 2023, he fought to overcome a neophyte boxer, the Cameroonian MMA champion Francis Ngannou.
Tyson Fury failed in 2024 to establish himself as the heavyweight boxer of his generation by losing twice to Usyk, during lucrative fights organized in Saudi Arabia. The first time in May following a split decision. The second in December, after a unanimous decision. Is he still capable of a comeback?
