Tyson Fury could announce his return to boxing for a potential fight against Anthony Joshua as soon as next week.
The 35-year-old `Gypsy King` had previously retired for what felt like the latest time after his second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in December.
However, Anthony Joshua`s promoter, Eddie Hearn, confirmed that his fighter is readily awaiting a call. Furthermore, Fury`s supportive wife, Paris, has given her blessing for him to step back into the ring. This comes after a difficult period for Paris, who sadly lost a baby six months into her 2024 pregnancy.
The upcoming undisputed heavyweight title rematch between Ukraine`s undefeated champion (holding the WBC, WBA, and WBO belts) and London`s Daniel Dubois (the IBF champion) is set for July 19 at Wembley Stadium.
Following this four-belt unification bout, the hard-hitting Fury will be in a position to assess his options and pick his next opponent.
Speaking at a recent high-profile IBA event in Turkey, Fury revealed: “Although AJ has been a rival of mine for ten years, he has been a fantastic advocate for British boxing and has played the game well.”
He continued: “I wouldn`t say I hold all the power over him but if he`s only sitting there and waiting for me to come, he could be waiting a long time.”
“He might be sixty by the time I decide I want him – or it might be next week.”
“I am looking forward to contemplating the idea of returning.”
“I am taking it all onboard and I will make a decision in the forthcoming few months.”
One factor that could still prevent the most significant all-British fight in boxing history from happening is Fury`s desire for a third bout against Usyk, ideally held in his home country, seeking redemption after two losses overseas.
Fury explained: “The all-British fight with Joshua will be big and if we both go to our grave – without having fought each other – it would be a travesty for British boxing.”
“But I feel like, what I really want is revenge.”
“But I only want to fight Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley, in front of 100,000 people, and lift all the belts. That would be my dream.”
“My second dream would be that massive fight with Anthony Joshua.”
“I am a prize fighter first and foremost. So, if the money is right, then we can do a deal. If the money is right then it’s a deal.”
Fury had initially announced his latest retirement rather abruptly, from the front seat of his vehicle outside his Morecambe home.
Few observers expected his retirement to last, and he admitted that the urge to fight never truly left him.
The 6ft 9in boxer commented: “Retirement is not easy to handle, every day I wake up and start shadow boxing and inside I want to fight.
“I will never ever get over that because I have been born and bred to do what I do – I mean did!”
“It’s hard to let it go when it’s something I enjoy. It’s really hard, man. It’s hard to walk away from it.
“I have had offers and Paris has said she will support me and that has made me smile.”
“It might be because she is sick of me being at home with her, or it’s because she is my ride-or-die, we’re Bonnie and Clyde.”
Paris, Fury`s wife since childhood, suffered the heartbreaking loss of their baby during the lead-up to his first fight against Usyk in May 2024.
Incredibly, the mother of seven concealed this devastating news from her husband so he could fully focus on the upcoming bout.
Fury confirmed that this difficult personal situation made his most recent – albeit predictably short – break from boxing easier to manage.
“Yes it made retirement a lot easier,” he stated.
“The hardest thing for me around that first Usyk fight was that I could not be there, for the person who has been there the most for me in my life, when she needed me the most.”
“That was the toughest thing.”
Usyk is set to defend his undisputed heavyweight championships against Daniel Dubois in a rematch of their 2023 contest, which Usyk won by TKO.
