The former two-time world heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24KO), announced his retirement with a video post online.
He said, "Hi everybody, I'm gonna make this short and sweet. I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing. It's been a blast, I've loved every single minute of it and I'm gonna end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask.
"God bless everybody. See you on the other side."
However, the response to his message was met with uncertainty and mistrust.
One reply read, "Can we save time and now also do the video where Fury comes back out of retirement?"
Another sarcastic reply stated, "Legend. And we know Tyson, once he's says he's retiring, that's it. No going back on it."
Others said, "He be back in a few months for the Joshua payday."
"He just wants a bigger cheque to get him out of retirement."
"Heard this before."
"Does anyone actually believe him tho!"
"We've seen this rubbish 3/4 times. Compulsive liar. 100% he'll be back fighting in the summertime."
Has Tyson Fury retired for good?
Yes: 16%
No: 84%
Fury lost back to back bouts with Oleksandr Usyk last year. Their first fight was for the undisputed heavyweight championship in May 2024, ending via a split decision, with a knockdown in round nine proving the pivotal point to swing the verdict Usyk's way. If that 10-8 round had ben scored 0-9, the result would've ended in a draw.
In their December rematch, Usyk was able to win more convincingly with a unanimous decision, all three scorecards calling it 116-112. Fury vehemently disagreed with the decision, believing he won by at least two rounds, which is what could be his meaning behind the 'Dick Turpin' reference, a famous highway robber.
Tyson's promoter Frank Warren was asked for his reaction just minutes after learning the news, "If that's his decision, god bless him and good luck to him. He deserves to be happy and if that makes him happy, I'm delighted for him. I'm pleased he's made he's mind up.
"I certainly won't be trying to sway him out if it and I don't believe anyone who cares about him will be trying to either. If he wants to do it, it's up to him. He's been a great for servant for British boxing. Two-time world champion in some of the most exciting fights of his generation."
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, who looks after Fury's rival Anthony Joshua, reacted to the news, "Yeah, I think if you haven't got the heart for it anymore and you don't want to compete anymore then I think retirement is the best option.
"Disappointing obviously for British fight fans because we've got the chance to make the biggest fight in boxing, but if that is the last we see of him, he's had a great career, [but] I doubt it.
"But it's always best to come into retirement to make sure someone pays you to come out of retirement. I think it's a natural play."
World leading body language expert Darren Stanton told OLBG that he believes Tyson Fury is being genuine with retirement message, as he doesn’t have the same fire in his belly as before.
Stanton said, “I do believe he is being genuine - when he’s ‘retired’ on previous occasions I never believed him, having assessed quite a lot of his Netflix show. At that time, he looked to have too much fire in his belly to truly be in retirement, he had too much energy and looked bored.
“However, coming out of retirement and losing twice in the manner he has done, I think he’s realised that the game is up now.
“He’s got to a point in his career where we’ve seen the best of him; so as much as he gives it large with his bravado, I do think his time might really be up. He will obviously have had lengthy discussions with his family and his wife Paris.
“Despite his persona, I believe that she carries a lot of weight in terms of decisions in the relationship.
“I think it’s very unlikely that we’ll see him come out of retirement now. To lose again was probably too soul destroying. At least now he can say he came out of retirement and tried.
“From a non-verbal point of view, the video is so short and sweet. In terms of the way he said it I really do think that this is the end of his professional boxing career.
“He won’t disappear, because he’ll still be a pundit; so overall I do feel that this time it’s different, because I think he’s lost that belief and fire in his belly.”