Tyson Fury, the larger-than-life figure who has long dominated boxing headlines, has once again set tongues wagging after declaring the only reason he would lace up his gloves again — and it has nothing to do with a blockbuster showdown against Anthony Joshua. The self-styled ‘Gypsy King’, who has teased retirement more times than most fighters have had title defenses, insists there’s only one fight that could tempt him back — and, perhaps to the disappointment of British boxing fans, Joshua’s name is nowhere near it.
In recent years, Fury’s rivalry with Joshua has captivated the British public and the wider boxing world. Ever since both men held heavyweight titles at the same time, fans have clamored for a clash to determine the true king of the British heavyweights. The proposed ‘Battle of Britain’ was expected to shatter pay-per-view records and settle years of back-and-forth jibes, promoter wrangling, and fan debates. Yet, as negotiations repeatedly fell apart, frustration replaced excitement.
Now, Fury has seemingly drawn a line under that saga once and for all. In a candid interview, the WBC heavyweight champion made it clear that, for him, the Joshua fight no longer carries the allure it once did. “I’ve done everything I ever wanted to do in this sport,” Fury said. “I’ve beaten the best of my era — I’ve climbed Everest already. I don’t need to come back for the sake of fighting Joshua. That ship has sailed.”
So, what could entice the undefeated heavyweight back between the ropes? According to Fury, there is only one scenario: a fight that would cement his legacy as the greatest of his generation — an undisputed heavyweight championship bout. “The only reason I’d come back is if there’s a fight that makes history,” he explained. “For me, that means undisputed. If there’s a chance to unify all the belts and finally crown an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, then I’ll be there. That’s the only thing left for me to do.”
Fury has long expressed frustration with the fractured nature of the heavyweight division. Over the years, various sanctioning bodies and promotional conflicts have made the goal of undisputed status elusive. His trilogy with Deontay Wilder produced fireworks and memorable moments but left the heavyweight crown divided.
The road to undisputed would likely run through Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk, who holds the IBF, WBA, and WBO belts. Usyk, having dethroned Joshua twice in dominant fashion, has cemented his status as one of the era’s most technically gifted fighters. A showdown between Fury and Usyk was once targeted for 2023 but fizzled amid disputes over purse splits, rematch clauses, and venues.
For Fury, a fight with Usyk would carry far more meaning than any domestic grudge match. “If I’m coming back, it’s to fight the best,” he said. “Usyk is the man with the other belts. If we can make that happen — and the business is right — then the Gypsy King will rise again.”
Fury’s comments once again leave Joshua on the sidelines. The Watford-born former champion has been rebuilding his career after back-to-back defeats to Usyk and is eyeing a return to the top table with fights that could re-establish him as a major force. Many had hoped that Fury-Joshua could finally be resurrected, even as a mega-money spectacle rather than a title unification. But for Fury, the prospect holds no appeal if the undisputed crown is not at stake.
The big question now is whether the politics of boxing can deliver Fury’s only condition. Usyk has already signed to face other mandatory challengers and may even vacate titles to fulfill obligations, which could once again scatter the belts across multiple fighters. Moreover, Fury’s own promotional commitments and sporadic retirements have made fight negotiations notoriously complicated.
While some fans might feel disappointed that the dream domestic clash with Joshua may never happen, many will see Fury’s latest stance as consistent with his legacy-first mindset. The ‘Gypsy King’ has always portrayed himself as a man who fights for glory, not for grudges or easy paydays. He famously walked away from boxing after dethroning Wladimir Klitschko, only to return from a long hiatus to defeat Wilder in one of the heavyweight division’s most memorable trilogies.
Whether Fury genuinely stays away from the ring until an undisputed opportunity arises remains to be seen. For now, he seems content with life beyond boxing, enjoying family time, business ventures, and his role as one of the sport’s great showmen outside the ropes.
But if the stars align and the belts can be brought together, boxing fans know that the Gypsy King will not be able to resist. And when Tyson Fury steps through the ropes, the world will be watching — just don’t expect Anthony Joshua to be
in the opposite corner.
