Tyson Fury reveals real reason he decided to make retirement U-turn after training return

Tyson Fury has insisted he isn’t returning to boxing for money but simply for his love of fighting.

The ‘Gypsy King’ retired yet again after two consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, which were the only ones he has suffered in his professional career.

Many expected that Fury would indeed return, having indicated on multiple occasions he is interested in a comeback which could include a trilogy with the Ukrainian.

He has recently confirmed for certain that he will be returning in 2026 and has a short-list of potential opponents which also include Fabio Wardley and Anthony Joshua.

And he has even made a full return to training, and has recently been sparring Kevin Lerena.

The 37-year-old has previously suggested he is motivated by the prospect of lucrative paydays as opposed to chasing after world titles.

But in a new video explaining his decision to make a U-turn, Fury has reaffirmed his passion for the sport is his motivating factor.

He said: “I have literally won everything from regional belts in England to super world titles, fighter of the year twice.

“Every world title I have fought for, and for me there is nothing else other than the fight game. I love this fight game. There is nothing in it for financial gain.

“I could have retired 10 years ago. I’ve made an absolute fortune. It’s not about the money, although, I always want a good deal for sure. It’s mainly about the love of the fight game and the sport.

“I’m 37, I’m 38 this year, I am older than a motherf*****, but I love to fight. I have zero other interests, only fighting.

“I was born and raised to fight My destiny lies within the fight game. And at the end of it all, I’ll be punching like a motherf*****, and I’ll probably be ending up in a wheelchair like the rest of them all.

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“Punched to death, don’t know if it’s Tuesday, Wednesday or December, but it’s the game I chose, it’s the life we chose. This is the life I chose! We ain’t stopping. We ain’t f***ing leaving.”

Fury has indeed previously attracted concerns for explaining his reasons for still competing, facing a common problem boxers face when hanging up their gloves.

It is an addictive lifestyle that he isn’t ready to leave behind, and the gifted giant believes he has more in the tank to return to the top of the heavyweight division.

Who could Fury face when he returns?

Fury appears to have three leading contenders for his big fight return, as he seeks a route back to world titles.

The most likely option seemed to be Joshua after his victory over Jake Paul, with the framework of a deal already in place for 2026.

But according to AJ’s uncle, his long-term future is in doubt after he was involved in a car accident in Nigeria.

Fury has named Wardley as a leading option, even though it would likely take place after an early warm up fight in 2026.

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And the Suffolk native is certainly open to defending his title against the former champion.

He told Sky Sports: “It was good because he was already on mine [hit-list]. It makes no difference to me.

“Look, it’s something I’d be really keen for because I’m not shying away from big fights. I haven’t got a world title just to take easy fights and hold onto it, and hide away with it.

“I think being open [to negotiations] might be a bit of an understatement. I’d be extremely keen to see if he’s genuine about it or not.

“He may be looking at it like it might be an easy touch for him to roll out of retirement, come into a fight, pick up a world title and go on to bigger things, but as fighters of late have found out, I’m quite the banana skin.”