Former boxing heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has explained his latest reversal of retirement for a rumored showdown with Anthony Joshua.
Tyson Fury is back, but he understands the various risks associated with his latest boxing comeback.
Fury, who announced his retirement after a rematch loss to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, will return to the ring later this year in a pair of Riyadh Season fights. While Fury’s first fight post-retirement hasn’t been formally announced, he’s rumored to face fellow UK legend Anthony Joshua in a boxing match later in 2026.
This isn’t the first time that Fury has pivoted on his earlier stance on retirement. After a trilogy win over Deontay Wilder in October 2021, Fury announced his retirement, and then returned just six months later in a win over Dillian Whyte.
Tyson Fury admits he could ‘end up in a wheelchair’ after latest retirement reversal
In a recent interview, Fury explained his decision to continue fighting.
“For me, there’s nothing else other than the fight game,” Fury said.
“I love this fight game. It’s not for financial gain, I could have retired 10 years ago, I’ve made an absolute fortune. I’m 37, 38 later this year. I’m older than a m———-, but I love to fight. I have zero other interests, only fighting. I was born and raised to fight.
“At the end of it all, I’ll be punchier than a m———- and I’ll probably end up in a wheelchair like the rest of them all,” Fury continued. “Punch to death, don’t know if it’s Tuesday, Wednesday, or December, but it’s the game I chose.”
Fury will look to snap the first losing skid of his career when he returns to the ring against a to-be-announced opponent. Before his consecutive losses to Usyk, Fury was unbeaten through 35 career bouts, including recent victories over former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and Derek Chisora.