Tyson Fury has claimed he has retired from boxing after his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The ‘Gypsy King’ was recently beaten for a second time by heavyweight rival Usyk in their rematch, a crushing unanimous decision.
Fury hadn’t yet announced his future plans in the sport, but had been heavily linked with a two-fight deal against Anthony Joshua in 2025.
But incredibly, he has announced that he will snub interest in a Joshua clash to retire from the sport with immediate effect.
He said in a social media statement: “Hi everybody, I’m going to 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 going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask
“See you all on other side.”
Fury has been known in the past to have retired prematurely before actually making a return to the sport.
He first announced he would hang up his gloves in 2013 after his fight with David Haye collapsed following his win over Steve Cunningham.
But he eventually returned to the ring, and has gone on to have a hugely successful career reigning as a heavyweight champion.
The Briton then announced his retirement again in April 2022 after beating Dillian Whyte in a huge all-British showdown at Wembley Stadium.
Although he again returned, fighting Derek Chisora later that year and he has since gone on to have three more fights.
Fury fought Francis Ngannou winning on points before his epic two-fight rivalry with Usyk began in 2024.
The 36-year-old then was beaten by Usyk for the first time by split decision in May, handing him the first defeat of his stellar career.
It’s happened before….
Tyson Fury retired after his fight with David Haye collapsed in 2013
Tyson Fury retired again in 2022 after beating Dillian Whyte
He elected to pursue immediate revenge in a sequel in December, but the fight ended in a loss once again.
The former champion was still believed to have much more to give, and had insisted pre-fight that he would deliver a fan friendly clash with Joshua.
But it appears to be now on the rocks, although it could well be a craft negotiating tactic from the boxing icon.
talkSPORT’S Adam Catterall reacted to the news immediately, adding: “That’s not where I’m at with this.
“I’ve always kind of said – in the immediate aftermath of the second Usyk fight, no one has spoken to Tyson, we don’t know where his head is at.
“Listening to interviews with Frank Warren and other people lead me to believe they’ve had a conversation that he’s not fully digested at what has happened, and there is a question of it he wants to continue.
“Fury is used to fighting for all the marbles. From our point we want to see, it is the fight every British boxing fan wants to happen, but if the fire isn’t burning I respect his decision.
“I still think the defeat to Usyk is raw and he is processing that. I would not be surprised if 6/9 months later Turki got a big cheque book out for him and said come back.
“We have been in this situation before I would not be surprised in six to nine months time if Tyson Fury is talking about going again.”
Fury has had a stellar career at the top of the sport having a record of 34-2-1 [24 KOs] while becoming a global superstar.
The Briton has become a cult hero, particularly given his remarkable weight loss journey and route back from mental health struggles.
He was forced to take a hiatus from the ring after the highs of beating Wladimir Klitschko in November 2015.
But in 2018 he announced his full comeback after losing ten stone to get back in shape in an epic journey.
And he successfully navigated his return to the top of the blue-riband division during a stunning trilogy with Deontay Wilder.
Despite his most recent defeats, Fury is still viewed as the second best heavyweight and a modern era great.
Should he choose to return, he will likely be welcomed with open arms with the looming possibility of two super fights against Joshua still on the table.
AJ has made the call-out in a bid to lure Fury back in, but if his social media activity is anything to go by, his decision is already made.