Tyson Fury set for pressing retirement talks after claims that ‘resolution can change’
Two-time heavyweight champion Tyson Fury took to social media on Monday to confirm his decision to retire from boxing, but Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is determined to hold talks with the ‘Gypsy King’ over a potential u-turn
Turki Alalshikh disclosed his plans to engage in discussions with Tyson Fury, hoping to sway the boxing legend away from retirement.
After suffering a second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, Fury declared an end to his time in the ring on social media: “Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,” he proclaimed. “I would 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. God bless everybody see you on the other side. Get up! “
The announcement dashed hopes for a hotly-anticipated all-British clash with Anthony Joshua that fans had eagerly anticipated this year. On talkSPORT, with Jim White and Simon Jordan, Alalshikh expressed regret over Fury’s retirement but showed understanding for the fighter’s choice: “First of all, this kind of decision has to be from the fighters,” he stated.
“It must be whatever they are thinking if they have something to give or not. As a fan of boxing, I don’t like it. We want to see Tyson in more big fights, but I can understand his decision. But over time this decision can change.”
The Saudi boxing chief left the door open for talks about Fury’s potential return to the ring, saying: “Yes, of course. But a lot of rumours don’t help us. No-one will propose £500 million for a fight, these numbers are incorrect.”
Fury was spotted appearing to be in good spirits at a Lancashire petrol station with an energy drink in hand just 48 hours after his retirement announcement. Offering well-wishes on Fury’s decision, promoter Frank Warren told the BBC: “God bless him, that’s what he wants to do. That’s great. I mean he’s done everything he can do.
“He’s probably been the best British heavyweight of his generation by far. Two-time world champion, and two closely fought fights against Usyk. He’s got plenty of money, he’s got his wits about him, he’s got a lovely family. So God bless him, let him enjoy it.”
Eddie Hearn, promoter of Joshua, isn’t fully buying Fury’s retirement talk and suggests it could be a ploy in negotiations for their much-anticipated bout. “I’m not going to accuse him of not being genuine but I think you get a better deal coming out of retirement or maybe he just hasn’t got the stomach for it anymore,” expressed Hearn.
He elaborated, “He got beat twice and has had enough. I doubt it but who knows. I don’t know him well enough to know but maybe he’s done. My gut feeling is we see AJ against Fury this summer. But, maybe he’s for real. I cannot believe that he would check out without doing that fight. But if he genuinely isn’t enjoying it anymore, he should retire.”
