Boxing

NEIL WARNOCK has hilariously poked fun at Tyson Fury’s latest boxing retirement. Warnock initially walked away from football management in 2022 after 42 years in the dugout. Neil Warnock poked fun at Tyson Fury’s latest boxing retirementCredit: GettyFury is on his fourth retirementCredit: PABut he was back again ten months later to take over at Huddersfield.Warnock left in the summer of 2023, later joining Aberdeen in his last coaching job – before again retiring from management. But he does remain in the game working as an advisor for Torquay United. So the former Crystal Palace boss is well positioned when it comes to walking away – aiming a jab at boxing icon Fury. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe posted on social media: “Only a few more retirements to go to catch me up , are you after my record?”Fury has hung up his gloves four times in the past, doing so three times via social media.In his latest, he took to Instagram to make the shock announcement in his car after going out for a coffee. He said: “Hey everybody, I am going to make it short and sweet.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I would like to announce my retirement from boxing. It has been a blast and I have loved every single minute of it.”I’m going to end with this – Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody and see you on the other side.”Fury, 36, appears ready to walk away following two decision defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, 37, costing him his unbeaten record and WBC belt. And he would also be leaving a huge money-spinning fight with Anthony Joshua, 35, on the table if he truly does retire.Tyson Fury WILL still fight Anthony Joshua and they’ll even be friends after, says British champ in shock prediction More

TYSON FURY’S mysterious Dick Turpin reference in his latest retirement speech looks like a moan at his paymasters undervaluing him.The Gypsy King was the heavy A-side going into his first Oleksandr Usyk clash, taking home around £80m from Saudi Arabia the undisputed loss.Tyson Fury has announced his retirement from boxing for the fourth timeCredit: GettyFans had been desperate to see Fury fight Anthony JoshuaCredit: GettyTurki Alalshikh has been bankrolling the Riyadh SeasonCredit: GettyAnd he even had a shared split of the £180m Riyadh rematch where he was dominated again.With the undefeated record and world titles well out of his grasp, Fury was getting involved in talks to finally face Anthony Joshua – perhaps twice – with London and Saudi legs that could generate around £500million.But – just as 35-year-old AJ was lowering his guard and goading him on social media, with a post on Saturday night about being on the hunt for the unmissable 6ft 9in Traveller – Fury pulled the rug from under us all.“I would like to announce my retirement from boxing,” he told his Instagram account from a car parked on his Morecambe drive.READ MORE ON BOXING”It has been a blast and I have loved every single minute of it.”I’m going to end with this – Dirk Turpin wore a mask.”A large chunk of boxing fans took the reference to the 18th century highwayman to be another dig at the Ukraine southpaw king.But that’s old news and Fury has not needed cryptic messages to hide his rage at the gap-toothed genius he so generously labellled a “little rabbit sausage who could never beat me in a million years”.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe phrase wasn’t used properly either.The full phrase is: ‘at least Dick Turpin wore a mask’.Tyson Fury retires from boxing with cryptic ‘Dick Turpin wore a mask’ jibe to leave Anthony Joshua fight dead in water View of The Sun’s boxing expert: ‘I think it’s a ploy’By Wally Downes JrCALL ME a miserable fat little boxing cynic, but Tyson Fury’s latest retirement just doesn’t wash with me.It wasn’t too long ago we were hearing he had a ten-fight deal with Saudi Arabia, that he was gonna fight Anthony Joshua twice, then he was going to face Joseph Parker twice.He was planning on doing every fight in the world – there was even talk he’d rematch Francis Ngannou and do a better job.IF he has retired, then he goes out with an incredible career having made over £300million in boxing events alone, let alone all the extra stuff.He does so having sacrificed bundles of his own life for such success.We know his wife Paris suffered a miscarriage going into the first Olesandr Usyk fight.We know for Deontay Wilder III, his little girl was put in intensive care, he barely even trained for that fight, he was sleeping on the hospital floor.IF he has retired, IF it is genuine, then it’s been an incredible career.And for the big showman, it’s probably a nice little short sharp way to go out by just posting a video while sat inside his car.But I can’t help but think that it’s a bit of a ploy to drive AJ a little bit crazy.AJ was at the Ring Awards the other day and put out a social media post saying “Fury, where are you? I’m looking for you.”It’s the only fight that AJ wants, and Fury being wise and looking at the Floyd Mayweather playbook, knows that once you retire, you have to be coaxed out of retirement.And how do you coax someone out of retirement? Loads more readies.The fact of the matter is, Fury has always told us: I’m a prize fighter, I do it for money, I’m gonna do it for as long as I can and make as much money as I can.So the idea that he suddenly ducks out now doesn’t seem to ring quite true.As Fury made the announcement, I was with Frank Warren and he said hadn’t spoken to Tyson about it today, but that he hopes that it’s true, that Fury’s done enough and made enough money.IF it’s true, then what an incredible career.Fury and AJ have put British boxing on the map where it’s not been for decades, not since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago.So thank you, but rather than being at his leaving party, which I’m sure The Sun would be invited to, I suspect we’ll see him boxing AJ in Riyadh in a few months. And it’s usually employed when someone has played the nice guy, been approachable, and then tried or succeeded in robbing their target.Usyk never played the nice guy, he always terrorised Fury with maverick mind games, baffling footwork and a legendary lead right.The former Crimea pickpocket looked Fury right in the eye, told him he was going to snatch away all of his ego and did so.The Riyadh Season – bankrolled by Turki Alalshihk – is a different story.They have made Fury richer than his wildest dreams, they handed him a doddle of a 2023 win against debutant Francis Ngannou.And they supported him when he made a total flabby hash of it, got dropped by the MMA fighter, and needed a dodgy decision to keep the Usyk rivalry on course.But now he’s on the back of two losses and holds no belts, it would make complete sense that his wages will have dropped.If he’s received his ballpark AJ offer and been furious with the fee, or the percentage, then he isn’t the sort of man to quietly speak to his board members, he’s far more likely to leap in the VW Passat and roar another retirement speech.The timing looks to lean that way too.Would Fury aim an antiquated barb at Usyk four weeks after their fight – with utterly no provocation from the man he kissed and cuddled after their bouts?READ MORE SUN STORIESOr would he lash out at a billion-pound nation-backed boxing empire that he feels he has suddenly short-changed him?Dick Turpin wore a mask, but at least he also shot from the hip. More

CHRIS EUBANK JR vs Conor Benn have agreed to have a blockbuster showdown in London.The sons of boxing legends Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn, who themselves fought twice in the early 90s, have been at each other’s throats for some time.Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr have agreed to an April fight in LondonCredit: Instagram @conorbennofficialThe two rivals have been at each other’s throats for some timeCredit: GettyBen posted a photo of the deal being inked on his sideCredit: Instagram @conorbennofficialThe aces collided in the ring after Eubank Jr’s win over Kamil Szeremeta in October, with footballer Neymar needing to pull them apart.The result saw the Brit become the IBO middleweight champion.And Benn made it clear he wanted a shot at the title, as well as Eubank Jr.The two men went back and forth on social media this week as talks of a fight heated up.READ MORE IN BOXINGBut now, boxing guru Turki Alalshikh revealed details have been finalised for them to have an April fight in London.Reports claim it could take place on Saturday 26 at Tottenham’s £1billion stadium.Alalshikh posed in a photo with Benn and promoter Eddie Hearn as the boxer signed his contract.Benn first said: “Your fate has been sealed @chriseubankjr.”Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAlalshkih added on X: “Eubank Jr vs Benn done in April, London, by the name of (Fatal Fury City of the Wolves).“Soon I will announce the day and the location, it will be The Ring’s first card in collaboration with the video game and SNK< and I will push to make PPV price 19.99 GBP for the fans, with tough undercard.Watch moment Conor Benn SHOVES Chris Eubank Jr and calls him 'dead boy walking' before boxing rivals are separated Benn posted for a photo with promoter Eddie HearnCredit: Instagram @eddiehearnTurki Alalshikh revealed more news on XCredit: Instagram @eddiehearnA further announcement is coming in due courseCredit: Instagram @eddiehearn“Let’s get boxing great again and wait for huge announcement soon.”Hearn added: “Late night business. The biggest fight in British boxing has been made. Full news dropping soon.”The agreement came a day after Eubank Jr claimed Benn and Hearn were trying to “enforce a rehydration restriction on me to make the fight.”Calling them “two rats”, he added: “They talk a big game but when it actually comes down to it… just a pair of (cat emojis).”This prompted Benn to respond: “You soft p***k I’m coming up two weights to fight you and I’m the (cat emoji)?“10lbs rehydration because I’m already fighting a middleweight but you want to get in the ring as a light heavyweight?“You are scared to death of Janibek and Sheeraz so I’m your only option satsuma head.” More

FANS are convinced Jake Paul and Tommy Fury are set for a rematch following an eagle-eyed social media spot. Fury became the first and so far only to defeat YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul after his February 2023 split-decision win.Jake Paul pictured in TurinCredit: RexTommy Fury was also in Italy but at Lake ComoThe two have been continuously linked with a rematch ever since their first grudge match. And fans were quick to spot how both celebrity boxing stars were in Italy – Paul in Turin and Fury in Lake Como. One asked: “Both Tommy Fury & Jake Paul are currently in Italy right now! Could we see this rematch happening soon.” Another replied: “Oh it’s happening alright.”READ MORE IN BOXINGFury, 25, followed up on his win in Saudi by beating KSI, 31, in October 2023 via controversial decision.But he has not returned since after undergoing hand surgery. Fury was due to do so against Darren Till, 32, but he pulled out after the ex-UFC star threatened to KICK him in the face. Paul, 27, meanwhile has won five times since his sole defeat in the ring, most recently against Mike Tyson, 58, in November. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe bout was heavily criticised amid the age gap between them. But Paul claimed Fury was their first-choice opponent but he declined a deal worth £6.3million ($8m) to rematch on Netflix. Fury has claimed he will announce a new opponent after withdrawing against Till. Jake Paul identities three ‘extremely good’ opponents in the frame for MMA debut amid talks to rematch boxing rivals More

EDDIE HEARN revealed Anthony Joshua has SEVEN different options if Tyson Fury really has retired. Fury looks ready to walk away from a series of bouts with Joshua that could have been worth £500MILLION between them. Anthony Joshua faces missing out on a Tyson Fury fightCredit: GettyFury announced his retirement on social mediaCredit: InstagramAJ was set to enter talks with the Gypsy King but he could be forced to look elsewhere if the retirement is to be believed. Hearn named Martin Bakole, Dillian Whyte, Deontay Wilder, Zhilei Zhang, Agit Kabayel, Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker as alternatives. And here, SunSport breaks down Joshua’s options. Dubois/Parker Joshua was knocked out by Dubois in September and the two were heading towards a rematch – until he pulled out of talks. READ MORE IN BOXINGInstead, Parker slotted in to fight for Dubois’ IBF heavyweight world title on February 22. So whoever wins and emerges with the gold becomes becomes an immediate target for AJ. Daniel Dubois fights Joseph Parker nextCredit: GettyZhang/KabayelThe two also fight next month and do so for the WBC interim title. The belt guarantees them either a shot at Oleksandr Usyk’s full version or the right to be elevated if the champion vacates his belt. Most read in BoxingSo Joshua could be incentivised by the gold on the line. Zhilei Zhang fights Agit Kabayel nextCredit: PAWilderThis feud dates back years and it remains a travesty the bout never happened. Twice Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh lined Wilder up to face AJ – but he lost to Parker and Zhang to blow the big-money bout. But Wilder is plotting a comeback and all it could take is one victory to put himself back in the frame.Deontay Wilder was twice lined up to fight JoshuaCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunWhyteAJ lost to Whyte in their 2009 amateur bout but won the fight when they turned professional six years later. And they were set to rematch in August 2023 until Whyte returned an “adverse finding” in a drugs test. Whyte has since continued his career with two routine wins in Ireland and Gibraltar. Dillian Whyte has returned with two winsCredit: SportsfileBakoleJoshua knows Bakole well having sparred him in the past. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Bakole has since proven himself to be a dominant force in the heavyweight division with only one loss in 22 fights. He recently beat American prospect Jared Anderson to propel him into the title picture. Martin Bakole and Joshua formerly sparred togetherCredit: Instagram @martin_bakole_ Follow More