TYSON FURY has excited fans by claiming he will fight until he is 40 – because there is “not much else to do”.
Having completed his dramatic comeback from mental health problems to claim the WBC heavyweight belt, the Gypsy King has often talked about ending his fighting career.
Fury became world champion for a second time in FebruaryCredit: Reuters
The boxer has faced calls to quit from his familyCredit: Instagram
Only a trilogy clash with Deontay Wilder and potential unification battle with Anthony Joshua were thought to be on the cards.
However 31-year-old Fury, who has been told to quit soon by his family, has now declared his intention to fight for EIGHT more years.
He told ESPN: “I’m going to fight on until I’m 40 years old.
“I’ve been thinking about it, and there isn’t much else to do anyways.
“So yeah, I may as well keep fighting. I don’t see anyone out there that can challenge me anyway.
“I just flattened the best one out there, the toughest opponent out there is Deontay Wilder, and we all saw what happened to him the last time out.”
BATTLES OF BRITAIN
Manchester-born Fury holds an unbeaten 30-0-1 professional record that includes his stunning 2015 victory over Wladimir Klitschko.
And remaining in the sport for so long will mean plenty more high-profile bouts.
Still yet to fight him are dangerous heavyweights such as Dillian Whyte, Oleksandr Usyk and Andy Ruiz Jr while an up-and-coming youngster such as Daniel Dubois may eventually appear on his radar.
Then of course there is Joshua and the pair’s representatives are currently in talks to hold a Saudi Arabian contest at the end of year – and their Battle of Britain duel may be spun out to two or three fights.
However Fury will need to convince his closest and dearest if he is to carry on in the ring.
Wife Paris, with whom he has five children, spoke of her desire to see him hang up his gloves after unifying the division.
She said in March: “I’d like him to beat Anthony Joshua and then stop.
“He’s in the ring with supreme boxers and it is a dangerous sport. We both know the risks.”
Paris then added in a TV interview: “He can’t go on forever, he can’t go undefeated forever. I wouldn’t like to see him continue for too long and get hurt.
“I wouldn’t like to see him lose his record chasing money or fame. He doesn’t need that.”
And Fury’s father John also believes there is nothing left to prove – even before he takes on his British rival.
He explained: “I want my son to retire now. It’s been an uphill battle for him. He’s done enough. I want him to pack it in now.
He’s given it his all. He’s got no more to prove.”
John Fury
“I think it’s in the back of his mind. He can’t do anymore. He’s won every professional title. Enough is enough. There’s more to life now.
“He’s given it his all. He’s got no more to prove. He’s proved he’s been a worthy champion from this country.”
Continuing on would certainly be a change of heart for Fury.
The Gypsy King quit the sport after encountering weight and drug issues while suffering with mental health problems in 2016 and he later stated he could walk away at any moment.
Before the seventh-round knockout victory over Wilder, he expressed an intent to take on only three more fights, saying: “I don’t think I will have many more fights. Maybe another three maximum. That’s it.”
And after the Las Vegas win he initially continued on the same path.
Fury stated: “I’ve got two more fights left, then we’re going to really think about what we do from there.
“How long does a piece of string go on? I’m undefeated in 31 professional fights and this is my 12th year as a professional.”
Tyson Fury admits not doing live workouts would ‘destroy my life’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
