As soon as Tyson Fury announced his retirement, questions were being asked throughout the sport and beyond.
Did he mean it? Would he stay retired? Was he coming back?
He has, after all, come out of retirement before.
Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren reacting to his retirement announcement, saying he backs him completely and that he doesn’t believe we’ll see the “Gypsy King” in the ring again
The former heavyweight world champion lost two contests of the highest calibre against Oleksandr Usyk last year but surprised boxing last month when declared he would walk away from the sport.
He does retain an interest in his craft, sitting ringside with Frank Warren to watch Derek Chisora’s fight with Otto Wallin last weekend.
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Warren has promoted Fury since he made his extraordinary comeback after more than two years out in 2018.
“He came back from a terrible place when he fell off a cliff, with the boozing, the drugs, the problems that he had, suicidal thoughts. Just to get over that – that was life-defining for him,” Warren told Sky Sports News.
“Boxing gave him that drive, that focus to get his life back on track. He’s done that and he should enjoy the spoils of his labour, in the toughest of all sports.”
He added: “If he comes back, he’ll come back. But for me I just want to see him be happy. He deserves it.”
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Warren didn’t press Fury on that question when he saw him on Saturday.
“I asked him: ‘What’s it like wearing the old slippers around the house?’ and he’s happy. He’s in a good place and I didn’t talk about boxing. I’m not doing that. I’m happy, if he’s happy. It’s not just me in the boxing business, he’s a friend and I want him to be happy,” Warren said.
“Look what he’s done in the game. He’s gone to the other guys’ backyards, won world titles, spectacular fights. Look at the fights he’s had, the trilogy of fights he’s had with [Deontay] Wilder, brilliant fights, going into [Wladimir] Klitschko’s backyard, doing a job there, some fabulous, fabulous fights. Great fights with Usyk,” Warren continued.
“Really, really good quality fights. The two best heavyweights of the 21st century. He’s done everything you can ask of him.”
Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker and the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol rematch will be live on Saturday February 22 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book now!
