Two-time world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing. He posted a brief message on social media on Monday, a few weeks after losing his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk for the unified heavyweight championship.
“Hello everyone, I’ll keep this short,” Fury said. “I would like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been an incredible adventure. I loved every minute of it and I’ll close with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless you all, see you soon. Get up.”
The phrase “At least Dick Turpin wore a mask” is a British idiom referring to an 18th century English outlaw, implying that at least he had the intelligence to conceal his identity by stealing money. .
Fury won the IBF, WBA and WBO titles by defeating Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, becoming world champion for the first time. However, his reign was short-lived, as he was stripped of his title by the IBF for planning to fight a contractual rematch with Klitschko instead of facing Vyacheslav Glazkov, his mandatory opponent. Then the rematch was postponed due to his weight gain and a sprained ankle, followed by a failed drug test.
After overcoming a suspension and mental health issues, Fury returned to the ring in 2018. He fought three times that year, with the final match being an impressive performance against WBC champion, Deontay Wilder, where Fury won is relieved of a severe knockdown to obtain a controversial draw.
Fury then beat Wilder in their 2020 rematch to become WBC champion, and he also won their third clash in 2021.
The long-awaited fight with Usyk finally took place in 2024, with Usyk winning a split decision to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. This defeat was Fury’s first as a professional. After losing the rematch last December, Fury says he has reached the end of the road.
It should be remembered that this is not the first time that Fury has announced his retirement, having previously declared his retirement in 2013, 2017 and 2022.
With a potential lucrative clash against British superstar Anthony Joshua, it remains to be seen whether this retirement will be permanent for Fury.
In short, Tyson Fury’s career has been punctuated by twists and turns, both on a sporting and personal level. His decision to retire could leave a significant void in the boxing world, but it also raises questions about his future and the possibility of a return, especially with the possibility of a highly anticipated fight against Joshua. This leads us to reflect on the nature of retirements in sport, which are often temporary and subject to reconsideration.
