TYSON FURY has cast even more doubt over a showdown with Anthony Joshua coming to fruition.
1 April 2023
Picture By Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Trainer Derrick James speaks with Anthony Joshua
The Gypsy King seemingly put the final nail in the coffin of the long-overdue domestic dust-up last month by announcing his fifth retirement.
Boxing fans and pundits alike aren’t buying what the Wythenshawe warrior is selling and reckon he’s hung up his gloves again to bump up his payday for the AJ fight.
But he recently told promoter Frank Warren that he’s “happy” with his current life after boxing.
The Queensberry Promotions chief revealed on The Ariel & Ade Show: “Can he walk away from the sport? He says he has.
“And at this moment in time, he said to me, he’s really in a good place and that he’s very happy.
“And that, for me, is important that he is happy and that he’s in a good place.
“He’s been one of the best two heavyweights of the 21st century.
“And I just want him now to enjoy his family and his life. He had a hard year last year.
“Three training camps one after another, one fight got cancelled because he got the cut eye.
“He needs now to go enjoy his life and enjoy being with his family, which is what he’s doing.”
As much as he wants Fury to enjoy the fruits of his brutal labour, Warren wouldn’t be surprised if the former heavyweight king’s competitive spirit gets the better of him.
He said: “I’ve not bothered him and I’ve certainly not spoken to him about fighting again.
“And if he does, that’s got to be his choice. He’s a very, very wealthy guy, he’s made a serious amount of money.
“He doesn’t need, financially, to fight. If he does fight, it’s because he’s got a fighting heart.
“Obviously he’ll get well paid if he does fight. But he’s got a fighting heart.”
Fury’s retirement came on the back of consecutive losses to former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
In a video on his social media pages, he said: “Hey everybody, I am going to make it short and sweet.
“I would like to announce my retirement from boxing.
“It has been a blast and I have loved every single minute of it.
“I’m going to end with this – Dick Turpin wore a mask.
“God bless everybody and see you on the other side.”
