Tyson Fury Announces Retirement from Boxing

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing, citing that it's been a blast.

Fury has called it a career on multiple occasions previously, most recently in April 2022 after his win over Dillian Whyte. However, the Brit returned to action in December that year.

“It's been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it and I'm going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side,” Fury said in a video posted to social media.

It was unclear why Fury made a reference to Turpin, a famed 18th century English highway robber and horse thief. Fury also retired in 2013 and 2017 in social media posts, with both statements proving to be short-lived.

His latest announcement caught his promoter Frank Warren by surprise. But Warren told TNT Sports that no one in the boxing world should influence Fury.

“God bless him. If that's what he wants to do, that's what he should do,” said Warren. “He's made a lot of money. He's had a fantastic career. He's the best British heavyweight... he has been in some magnificent fights. He has shown what he's about. He has been exciting, you know, to be around him. I've loved every minute of it, and I hope all the fans have as well.”

The 36-year-old Fury was beaten for a second time by Usyk in December as he looked to regain his heavyweight world championship belts.

A long-touted fight with Anthony Joshua had been rumored for this year with both fighters in the latter stages of their respective careers. British sports promoter Eddie Hearn, who said he reserved Wembley Stadium this summer for a potential Fury-Joshua fight, expressed doubts Fury is calling it quits, hinting that it might be a strategy for the heavyweight to retire to entice a bigger purse for the fight.

“I'm not going to accuse him of it not being genuine, but I think you get a better deal coming out of retirement,” said Hearn. “Or maybe he just hasn't got the stomach for it anymore. Beat twice and had enough. [I] doubt it. Who knows?”

Fury was upset with the unanimous decision when he lost the Dec. 21 rematch with Usyk in Saudi Arabia. Usyk landed 179 of 423 punches thrown (42%), while Fury landed 144 of his 509 punches, a 28% clip.

Fury had acknowledged making mistakes, notably by showboating too much, when losing their first fight in Riyadh in May by split decision. His career record is 34-2-1, with 24 KOs.

The losses to Usyk were the only defeats in Fury's career, which began in 2008 and included one draw against American boxer Deontay Wilder in 2018.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.