Tyson Fury snubbed his own energy drink as he was spotted for the first time since dropping his retirement bombshell earlier this week.
On Monday, the ‘Gypsy King’ shocked the boxing world after taking to social media to confirm that he’ll be hanging up his gloves. ”Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet,” he said in a video from his car. “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 36-year-old opted to walk away from boxing after suffering back-to-back defeats by Oleksandr Usyk. Fury was narrowly beaten last May in their first encounter, but had the opportunity to avenge his loss seven months later. In the tense and gripping sequel, the ‘Gypsy King’ began on the front foot as his sharp jabs and shots to the body appeared to catch ‘The Cat’ off guard.
However, the tide turned just before the midway point as Usyk’s speed and blitzing movement allowed him to control proceedings before claiming a unanimous decision victory. Since the defeat in Riyadh, Fury has enjoyed a relaxing few weeks off with his family in Morecambe.
Just two days on from his retirement announcement, Fury was spotted for the first time and appeared to be in good spirits. The 36-year-old was seen at a petrol station in Lancashire, clutching a can of Monster energy drink before entering his vehicle. Fury has his own brand of energy drink, Furocity, which he launched in 2022.
Fury’s decision to call it a day has scuppered any plans of an all-British showdown with rival Anthony Joshua which could have earned both men £150million. Following Tyson’s defeat to Usyk and Joshua’s devastating knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September, fans had hoped to see the two Brits finally settle the score in the ring this year.
While many remain unconvinced and believe Fury will return, his long-time promoter, Frank Warren, has urged his star client to “enjoy” his retirement. Speaking to the BBC, he said: “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.”
Asked if he had been told in advance about Fury’s retirement, Warren admitted he learned at the same time as everyone else. “Not at all, I’ve not spoken with him about it,” he said. “I said all along, that there is no way I will be trying in any way to influence him.”
Fury was left bemused following the result of his sequel against Usyk. The Brit insisted he should have been named the winner, saying: “The judges gave him a Christmas gift. I feel like I won both fights. I know I had to knock him out but it’s boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight. Frank [Warren] had me three or four rounds up and a lot of people had me up by at least two. I’m not going to cry over spilled milk, it’s over now. I’ve been in boxing my whole life but I’ll always feel a little bit hard done by – not a little bit, a lot.”
In a recent interview, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn insisted that Fury’s announcement is simply a negotiating tactic. “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,” he said. “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 canot believe that he would check out without doing that fight. But if he genuinely isn’t enjoying it anymore, he should retire.”
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