Boxing
Tyson Fury’s multiple retirements and what happened next are explained
You’d be forgiven for a robust sense of déjà vu: Tyson Fury has come out of retirement… again.
Fury announced his latest return to boxing on Sunday after a year off following his second heavyweight title defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The British player is no stranger to ceremonial endings (and resumptions) of his career, sometimes within a matter of months.
Here are all the times he retired early and what happened next.
Retirement No. 1
When he retired: November 20, 2013 (aged 25)
Why he retired: Tyson Fury announced his retirement for the first time after his fight with David Haye was canceled for a second time. Fury was scheduled to fight the former two-division world champion in September 2013 and then in February 2014, but both fights were canceled due to his opponent’s injury.
“Hi everyone, I have officially retired from boxing,” Fury wrote on social media. “There are too many motherfuckers in this sport. They’ll have to f**k with someone else. Goodbye boxing.”
The next day he doubled down: “I just want to confirm that I’m not in a bad mood or anything. I’ve given up 1000000% no matter what, I’ll never fight again!”
When he returned: Fury returned three months later, defeating American Joey Abell on February 15, 2014. Fury cited his “various moods” regarding his early retirement.
Pension No. 2
When he retired: October 3, 2016 (aged 28)
Why he retired: After withdrawing from his heavyweight title rematch with Wladimir Klitschko for a second time to address his mental health, Fury posted on social media that “boxing is the saddest thing I’ve ever been a part of” and “I’m the best and I’m retired too.”
When he returned: Not returning to the ring for three years, Fury later backtracked on his retirement hours on Twitter, stating: “You think you can get rid of the Gypsy King that easily!!! I’m staying here.”
However, he vacated the WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles nine days after posting the tweet, pending an investigation into the British anti-doping case into his self-confessed cocaine utilize. Shortly afterwards, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) suspended his boxing licence.
Pension No. 3
When he retired: August 1, 2017 (aged 28)
Why he retired: Fury, who was still out of the ring since defeating Klitschko in 2015, talked about his numerous comeback attempts in 2017 before posting on social media over the summer: “I have been very blessed to have reached the highest level in boxing in my life and career. It has been an incredible journey. Thank you to all the fans who have supported me and believed in me along the way. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. THE END.”
Fury, then 28, was waiting for a date to resume his anti-doping hearing.
When he returned: In December of the same year, the British Anti-Doping Organization confirmed that it had agreed with Fury and the BBoC to resolve the allegations. In January 2018, the BBBofC reinstated Fury’s boxing license, and he returned to the ring in May 2018, defeating Sefer Seferi.
Pension No. 4
When he retired: April 23, 2022 (aged 33)
Why he retired: Fury has once again announced that he is hanging up his gloves following his victory over Dillian Whyte to retain his WBC title at London’s Wembley Stadium, claiming – after recently completing three massive fights against Deontay Wilder – “I have fulfilled everything I ever wanted to fulfill.”
On August 12, he confirmed his retirement in a social media post in which he tweeted: “I have finally decided to retire and on my 34th birthday I say Bon voyage.” He also relinquished the Ring title that day.
When he returned: In October, another turn for Fury was confirmed with the announcement of a trilogy fight with Derek Chisora. He defeated Chisora at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 3, 2022.
Pension No. 5
When he retired: January 13, 2025 (aged 36)
Why he retired: Fury’s latest retirement announcement came after an uncontested heavyweight title defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, the first of his career.
Fury quoted Dick Turpin in his announcement on social media, which may indicate a unanimous decision to award the fight to Usyk in December.
“Even Dick Turpin wore a mask” is a common expression when someone feels they have been robbed or cheated. (Turpin was an infamous 18th century English thief.)
When he returned: Fury made his best impression after retiring despite repeated links to fight fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua.
But he dropped the mask and signaled his return in December, posting on social media: “The king must return to his throne.”
On Sunday he officially returned to boxing.
“2026 is the year. The return of the Mac,” he wrote on social media.
“I was gone for a while, but now I’m back, I’m 37 and I’m still punching. There’s nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it.”
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