- Fury, 36, said he had quit boxing in a short video on social media on Monday
- The former heavyweight world champion was expected to fight Anthony Joshua
- Last fight was second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia in December
The meaning behind Tyson Fury‘s cryptic message in his shock retirement video has been revealed.
Fury, 36, stunned the boxing world by announcing he was quitting the sport in a social media video to his fans on Monday.
In the video, which appears to have been shot on a mobile phone while Fury is in his car, the Gypsy King made reference to Dick Turpin, an Essex-based robber from the 1700s.
‘Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,’ Fury said. ‘I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing. It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it.
‘I’m going to end with this… Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody, see you on the other side. GET UP!’
Fury had been expected to return to the ring this year in a blockbuster showdown against long-time rival Anthony Joshua, following his second defeat by Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia last month.
Tyson Fury has dramatically announced his retirement from boxing with immediate effect
Fury last fought in December when he was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk via unanimous decision
The phrase ‘Dick Turpin wore a mask is often used by people who believe they are being robbed or ripped off, and some have interpreted Fury’s reference in the video to be a shot at Joshua and his camp over the negotiations for a Battle of Britain showdown.
Many have suggested Fury is implying that he is not happy with AJ’s team, while he could be attempting to get a bigger share of any potential purse.
Turpin, executed at the age of 33 in 1739, was most closely associated with highway robbery. He became famous for robbing stage coaches while on horseback and was involved in an Essex gang of deer thieves.
Soon after the news broke, Hearn joined those who had cast doubt on the authenticity of Fury’s announcement and insisted he wasn’t sure whether he believed the former world champion.
‘I think if you haven’t got the heart for it anymore and if you don’t want to compete anymore, I think retirement is the best option,’ he said.
‘It’s disappointing obviously for British fight fans because I think we’ve got a chance to make the biggest fight in boxing but if that is the last we see of him, he’s had a great career.
‘I doubt it, but you know it’s always best to come into retirement to make sure someone pays you to come out of retirement.
‘But if that’s his lot, then much respect to him and I wish him all the best.’
Fury’s announcement comes after he was expected to fight rival Anthony Joshua in 2025
Promoter Eddie Hearn said he had ‘doubts’ whether Fury was being genuine about retirement
Fury had previously retired back in 2022 after he beat Dillian Whyte, saying he was ‘done’
The Gypsy King has seven children with wife Paris, who he met when they were both teenagers
When pressed further on his ‘doubts’, Hearn added: ‘I just think if I was looking for the right deal, I’d go into retirement too.
‘But I can’t speak on his behalf, that’s just what I would do. it’s a natural play, but maybe that is his lot but I don’t know, I don’t know him well enough to comment really.
‘He’s the man to make his own decisions and like I said it’s not the kind of sport you want to play in if his heart is not in it anymore.
‘And if his heart is not in it anymore, it’s the right decision for him. Hopefully it’s not the case and we get to see the AJ fight and if not, I wish him all the best.’
Fury’s fight with Joshua has long been mooted but not materialised, although rumours circulated on social media earlier this month that a fight had finally been agreed.
Joshua had declared a fight with Fury ‘had to happen’ this year, while Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh similarly outlined his support for the showdown.
Joshua had given further credence to the fight a few weeks ago when he said: ‘2025, I am targeting Tyson Fury.’
Earlier on Monday, Hearn revealed he had booked out Wembley Stadium for the fight to potentially take place in ‘May or June’, but admitted it all comes down to whether Fury wanted it after the defeat by Usyk.
Others have interpreted the Dick Turpin reference to be about Fury’s defeat by Usyk
‘Yes. We’re looking to get back in the ring in May or June. If it ended up being July, it doesn’t really matter,’ Hearn said at the Ring Awards when asked if he has booked in a Wembley date.
‘I still think it rests on Tyson Fury. Until the water settles on the defeat and where he’s at mentally and what he wants to do, that’s where we’re really going to find out.
‘Because when he looks at the options, what else is he going to do and who else is he going to fight?’
Others have suggested the Dick Turpin reference was about the manner of his defeat by Usyk on December 21. The Gypsy King was adamant that he had won the fight, despite losing by unanimous decision.