Tyson Fury has once again insisted he has retired from boxing, with the unbeaten heavyweight adamant that no amount of money in the future will persuade him to return to the ring.
The WBC champion defended his title against Dillian Whyte at Wembley with a sixth-round stoppage, sending his opponent crashing to the canvas with a huge uppercut. Speaking in the days after his defeat, Whyte has claimed he was shoved to the floor and deserves a rematch.
While Fury repeatedly said in the build-up to the all-British clash, and again in the ring and his press conference after winning, that it would be his last fight, many believe that unlikely to be true, with a potential undisupted bout against Anthony Joshua on offer in the future.
However, speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Fury confirmed his intention to step away from the sport and spend more time with his family, and to do so on a positive note rather than when he’s past his best.
“When do I get time to be a father, a husband, a brother, a son?” Fury said.
“I need this personal time. Fans will always want more, but at the end of the day I don’t have anything more to give, I’ve given everything I’ve got. I’ve been a professional for 14 years and I’ve been boxing for over 20 years.
“My time is to go out on a high. I always said I wanted to walk away at the top of the sport and do it on my terms - I didn’t want to be the person who should have retired two years ago.
“Nearly 100,000 at Wembley, a knockout performance. They will not forget the Gypsy King. No amount of material assets or money will make me come out of retirement because I’m very happy.”
Joshua looks set to fight Oleksandr Usyk in July, likely in Saudi Arabia, in a bout that will decide who holds the remaining heavyweight belts.
The ultimate British fight between Joshua and Fury was due to take place a couple of years ago, when promoter Eddie Hearn announced in the summer of 2020 that a two-fight deal had been agreed.
That collapsed though as Fury focused his attention on Deontay Wilder instead, before his return to the UK last weekend to stop Dillian Whyte at Wembley.
It remains to be seen whether Fury has indeed fought for the last time, though he has already hinted at a crossover bout against Francis Ngannou, but his comments suggest that he has no motivation to make a return, however big the opportunity in front of him is.
“I am done. Every good dog has its day,” Fury said.
“Like the great Roman leader said, ‘there will always be someone else to fight’. When is enough, enough?”
He added: “Boxing is a very dangerous sport, you can be taken out with one punch. It only takes one unlucky blow and you may not get up off that canvas.
“I’m quitting while I’m ahead, and only the second man in history to retire as an undefeated heavyweight champion. I’m very happy and content in the heart with what I’ve done and achieved.
“It’s not about money for me. I’ve got enough money and everything I need. I’m a very simple man - I drive an 07 VW Passat. I’m a very normal person, I don’t need tons of money to impress everybody.”
