Two-time world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury announced Friday that he will “walk away” from boxing, just three days after saying he was returning to the ring.
“Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years & after long hard conversations (I’ve finally) decided to walk away & on my 34th birthday I say Bon voyage,” Fury wrote on Twitter.
MASSIVE THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAD AN INPUT IN MY CAREER OVER THE YEARS & AFTER LONG HARD CONVERSATIONS IV FINALY DECIDED TO WALK AWAY & ON MY 34th BIRTHDAY I SAY Bon voyage. HEARS A FEW WHO MADE IS SPECIAL ALONG THE WAY… pic.twitter.com/jNeF1CbBqm
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) August 12, 2022
It’s unclear what happened between Tuesday and Friday as the 34-year-old had just announced he was returning to boxing for a fight against Derek Chisora, who he has already defeated twice.
That announcement led some to think that Fury had his sights set on a unification bout between himself, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, and Oleksandr Usyk, the reigning WBA, IBF, and WBO titleholder.
Despite being WBC heavyweight champion and undefeated in his professional career, Fury said he was retiring from the sport in April.
If this is it for Fury, he ends his professional career with 33 total fights, 32 victories, and one draw. He also has 23 wins by knockout to his credit.
While Fury’s career took place at a time when boxing has been on the downswing and he hasn’t been the notable figure that people like Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis were before him, he still leaves behind an interesting legacy among the great heavyweights of the sport. And there were lots of big reactions from the boxing world regarding the news of Fury’s potential retirement.
Tyson Fury announces his retirement. This one feels more real..
One of my favorites. Skill + CHARISMA + Heart. Ended Wladimir Klitschko's historic reign. Overcame depression then KO'd (x2) one of the fiercest punchers EVER, Deontay Wilder. A top-heavy resume, but a great legacy. https://t.co/ul3tFEzpuj
— Harry Zahn (@harry_zahn) August 12, 2022
https://t.co/ghz8wsDdBV pic.twitter.com/2Tv82KcVC2
— Daniel Blackham (@DanBlackham_) August 12, 2022
But as he celebrates his 34th birthday today, Fury insists he will never box again 🎂⬇️https://t.co/uUQxPUbLrG
— Mirror Fighting (@MirrorFighting) August 12, 2022
Time for a new venture? 😏 https://t.co/YfnMN8Ohhz
— WWE UK (@WWEUK) August 12, 2022
Absolutely nothing to prove to anyone.
Hope he sticks by this.
Incredible career 👊🏻 https://t.co/CroknWA4DE— Jon Dunham (@JonDunhamGB) August 12, 2022
Not everyone was convinced that this retirement is official, however.
3 days ago; Calling out Chisora for a 3rd fight nobody wants to see
3 days ago: Announcing Isaac Lowe as his trainer for Chisora
1 days ago: Chisora fight isn’t happening
Today: Retires again
The day before #UsykJoshua2 : I’m coming out of my 2nd fake retirement https://t.co/xTCdFgZc13
— b0xingfan (@b0xingfan) August 12, 2022
We’ll see if this retirement actually sticks. But in the meantime, it sounds like the sound of this Fury signifies nothing more in the ring.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.