FightHype.com

LIFE AFTER TYSON FURY

By Paul Magno | April 22, 2022
LIFE AFTER TYSON FURY

WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury is once again claiming that Saturday’s defense against Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium, in front of an anticipated crowd of around 94,000, will be the final fight of his career. 

“I’m walking away,” Fury recently told Top Rank’s Adam Smith. “I have nothing to prove to nobody. I’ve done what I had to do. That’s it. Win, lose, or draw on Saturday night, we put up a good fight and we go home. That’s it.”

Conventional boxing wisdom says that a veteran fighter talking of retirement before a big challenge might be ripe for the picking. 

But conventional boxing wisdom doesn’t always apply to The Gypsy King. Plus, Fury can be a bit of a bull-shitter.

What we do know for sure is that the 33-year-old Irishman should have a real challenge on his hands in Dillian Whyte. 

The 34-year-old Jamaica-born London resident is not as one-punch explosive as Fury’s recent rival Deontay Wilder, but he’s definitely more skilled. He also carries the kind of walking-around confidence that suggests he’ll never accept defeat. Despite no-showing much of the pre-fight buildup publicity due to a contractual dispute, Whyte, who first became the WBC’s number 1 contender in 2017, looks ready for battle and eager to take advantage of the opportunity that has taken so long to actually materialize.

On Fury’s end of things, it would be easy to look past Whyte’s challenge with three world heavyweight title belts out there and a couple of mega-money blockbusters ready to be made in the immediate future. Stepping in against the winner of the upcoming Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua three-belt title clash is a no-brainer and a match against the loser would be highly bankable as well. 

But, of course, Fury says that this is his last fight, right? He doesn’t need another series of challenges, mega-money or not. 

“What for, though?” Fury wondered aloud. “How much is enough? What have I got to prove? Keep fighting again and again and again? Who, what, where for? ... It’s not what other people want, it’s what I want. I do it for the fans and that’s why I’m doing this fight here at Wembley. One good farewell, goodbye, and that’s it. This stone is out of blood. I’m all done. I’ve had 20 years as a boxer and that’s it.”

It’s hard to imagine Fury holding to that mindset if Anthony Joshua is able to take back his belts from the Ukranian, Usyk. Joshua’s drawing power in the UK is immense and, matched with Fury, the money would be obscene. Fury-Joshua would easily be the biggest prizefight in UK history and a monster draw everywhere else in the world. If Usyk is able to beat Joshua again, though, it’s easier to see Fury taking a pass in favor of a future away from “the celebrity lifestyle,” as he said and one where he can be “left alone.” The money for an Usyk clash would certainly not be as tempting as it would be for a Joshua bout.

But, what IF Fury is telling the truth and this’ll be his last ride, win or lose? 

Fury has not won the hearts and minds of American fight fans, despite the boasts of co-promoter Bob Arum and Fury’s own firm belief to the contrary. Interest in anything other than a shared bill with Deontay Wilder has been lukewarm in the States. Live gate numbers and TV viewership tell that tale, even if a big part of the lukewarm interest can be chalked up to the fact that the genuinely charismatic fighter has been kept behind the ESPN+ subscription paywall and on pay-per-view. 

His absence, though, WILL be a big deal in the heavyweight division. Aside from having to fill the vacant WBC champ slot-- something which could come down to a free-for-all among top contenders Joe Joyce, Joseph Parker, Frank Sanchez, as well as former champ Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte, if Whyte puts up a solid battle against Fury this Saturday. 

Beyond the WBC championship, a retired Fury means the absence of the division’s figurehead and most consistent elite-level performer. IBF/WBA/WBO titlist, Usyk, put in a solid, competent effort in beating Joshua, but it was hardly a captivating performance. Questions remain when it comes to the former unified cruiserweight champ’s long-term viability as a high-end heavyweight. Former champ Joshua, meanwhile, has been utterly inconsistent in his execution over the last few years and you have to wonder when his box office appeal will take a hit because of that inconsistency. 

Any way you slice it, Fury’s absence would be felt on the world stage. He may not be as big in America as he thinks he is, but, as far as boxing stars go in this day and age, he’s probably a top 5 figure in the present tense boxing scene. And boxing can’t afford to lose too many of its top figures. 

But this is assuming that Fury will, indeed, retire and stay retired. And that is highly unlikely.

MARCH 28, 2024
MARCH 25, 2024
MARCH 21, 2024
MARCH 18, 2024
MARCH 17, 2024
MARCH 14, 2024
MARCH 12, 2024
MARCH 11, 2024
MARCH 07, 2024
MARCH 04, 2024
FEBRUARY 29, 2024
FEBRUARY 27, 2024
FEBRUARY 22, 2024
FEBRUARY 19, 2024
FEBRUARY 15, 2024
FEBRUARY 12, 2024
FEBRUARY 08, 2024
FEBRUARY 05, 2024
FEBRUARY 01, 2024
JANUARY 31, 2024
JANUARY 30, 2024
JANUARY 29, 2024
JANUARY 25, 2024
JANUARY 22, 2024
JANUARY 18, 2024
JANUARY 15, 2024