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With Oleksandr Usyk's undisputed heavyweight bout out of the picture, promoter Frank Warren does not rule out the possibility that Tyson Fury will opt to retire.
One day after it was reported that lengthy negotiations between Usyk, the WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO champion, and Fury, the WBC champion, were officially over, the head of Queensberry Promotions suggested that prospect on Thursday.
The mandatory challenger for one of Usyk's titles, Daniel Dubois, has been identified as a target for a fight by Usyk's squad. Dubois is promoted by Warren, just like Fury is.
Fury’s future, on the other hand, is a bit more muddled, Warren noted.
“Tyson’s a bit [pissed off] because, obviously, he’s been in training constantly,” Warren said in an interview with SecondsOut, contradicting Fury’s suggestion this week that he had just begun his training camp. “He’s got his trainer in. It’s not a conversation [we’ve had yet.] Everything’s too raw at the moment. We’ll work it out.
“Listen, he may retire – I don’t know what he wants to do. He’ll do whatever he wants to do. He’s the guy getting in the ring. Everyone sitting outside making their comments, I find it quite insulting. Tyson Fury who went to Germany, done all the things that Usyk done, beat the best guy of his generation (then champion Wladimir Klitschko), went to America and beat the hardest punching guy (Deontay Wilder)."
If Fury, indeed, does end up announcing his retirement, it would not be the first time.
Indeed, the Manchester native has had a long history of broadcasting his intention to leave the sport—only to return. In 2016, amid drug and mental health problems, Fury announced that he was retiring. A few hours later, he recanted that statement.
But Fury claimed again the following year that he was hanging up the gloves.
Fury naturally made a comeback to the ring in 2018, competing three times, including the first match with Wilder, which was decided by a split decision.
Following his victory over fellow countryman Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium in London last April, Fury more recently announced his plan to retire. Just five months later, Fury declared that he had once again altered his mind, this time due to boredom.
Warren declared that he would back whichever choice his star boxer ultimately makes.
“Tyson’s a very philosophical guy, and he will do whatever he chooses to do,” Warren said. “And whatever he chooses to do, I’m there with him.”
Usyk and some of his staff have accused Fury of being unreasonable for making so many demands, despite the fact that they had already agreed to a lopsided financial split of 70/30 in Fury's favour.
Warren, in response, has criticised Usyk for withdrawing from the battle despite declaring his disinterest in money.
“I genuinely thought he said what he wanted – he don’t care about money, he just wants to fight for the four belts," Warren said. "But he pulled out of the fight. You can dress it up, slag off me, slag off Tyson Fury. They. Pulled. Out.”