While the headlines are focused on Anthony Joshua for Tyson Fury’s next fight, The Gypsy King has signaled that his return to boxing isn’t intended to be a money grabbing one fight retirement plan.
“I’ve signed a three-fight deal for this year.” Fury told Boxing Social and other reporters at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the early hours of Sunday morning. “Regardless of who’s next? I want three fights. I’m not coming back for just one fight and that will do me. If I’m back boxing, I want to stay busy.”
Sat next to his promoter Frank Warren following a triumphant return against Arslanbek Makhmudov, Fury (35-2-1, 24 KOs) had goaded the press by threatening to retire if he doest get a fight with longterm nemesis Anthony Joshua next. However, the former two-time heavyweight champion did mention that a trilogy against Oleksandr Usyk would be his second preference.
“The good thing about it is that there are no belts to hold me back with a mandatory,” Fury continued. “I’m literally an open book to fight anybody really. Do you know what I mean? There is nothing that is going to stop me.”
Fury had earlier mentioned that he wasn’t interested in fighting Moses Itauma or Daniel Dubois. He hadn’t mentioned any other fighters by name that he didn’t want to fight, but it became apparent that Fury’s return is not a stop-start project.
“I’ve proved myself in boxing from being a young lad, 20-year-old,” Fury explained. “English champion in seven fights, British champion in 14 fights, European champion, every belt there is to win. Every world title belt, every domestic belt. I’m not interested in nobodies. They are the next generation, whoever they are, I’m sure they are all good fighters. Let them all fight each other, like I had to. Me Derek [Chisora] both fought each other when we were undefeated. He was number one in the world when I fought him the first time round.”
Following a 16-month sabbatical from the ring, Fury’s performance has been well received. The 37-year-old showed no aging signs, dominating from start to finish to claim a lopsided unanimous decision in front of over 60,000 people at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
“I really enjoyed myself tonight,” Fury added with a big smile. “I was so happy to be back. Now I know why I returned, because I just f***ing love it! I love it, I love going out there, I love the reception, I love the dancing on the stage, the fireworks! It was just an unbelievable experience.”
