Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing with a cryptic reference to notorious highwayman Dick Turpin, just one month after his second defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
The 37-year-old former WBC heavyweight champion made the announcement in a brief video posted to social media on Monday afternoon.
The decision comes after back-to-back losses to Ukrainian champion Usyk, with Fury’s latest defeat coming in December 2024.
In a 17-second clip filmed from his car, the Gypsy King declared his exit from the sport whilst making a pointed reference to the mask-wearing 18th-century robber.
Tyson Fury made the shock decision to retire on Monday
“Hi everybody! I’m going to make this short and sweet. I would like to announce my retirement from boxing,” Fury said in the video.
“It’s been a blast. I’ve loved every single minute of it, and I am going to end with this. Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody. See you on the other side.”
The reference to Dick Turpin, an Essex-based robber known for holding up stage coaches in the 1700s, carries significant meaning.
The phrase “At least Dick Turpin wore a mask” is commonly used by people who believe they have been blatantly robbed or cheated.
The statement appears to be a thinly veiled criticism of the judging in his recent bouts.
Following his second defeat, Fury stormed out of the ring after seeing the judges’ scorecards, which unanimously scored the bout 16-12 in Usyk’s favour.
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“Frank had me three or four rounds up, a lot of people had me at least two,” Fury said in his post-fight press conference.
“When you don’t get a knockout, you can’t guarantee a win. I think I won both fights. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight,” he added.
After his first loss to Usyk, Fury had claimed the judges favoured the Ukrainian because his country was at war.
“I think Usyk got a Christmas gift but it’s not Oleksandr’s fault,” Fury concluded.
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Tyson Fury was unhappy with the decision that saw Oleksandr Usyk land victory
Reuters
Fury retires with a professional record of 34 victories, including 24 by knockout, two losses and one draw.
This marks the second time the heavyweight has announced his retirement from the sport.
In August 2022, Fury previously declared he was walking away from boxing after defeating Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium.
That retirement proved short-lived, with Fury returning to the ring just eight months later to face Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
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Tyson Fury was beaten twice by Oleksandr Usyk
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Many believed Fury was destined for one or two classic battles with Anthony Joshua before his retirement announcement.
Both Fury’s promoter Frank Warren and Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had been discussing the potential super-clash between the British heavyweights.
Wembley Stadium had been mentioned as the venue of choice for what would have been one of British boxing’s most anticipated matchups.
Instead, Fury looks set to enjoy the substantial wealth accumulated from his recent fights, including two mega-money battles with Usyk and a lucrative clash with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia.