Ever since he knocked out Dillian Whyte last April, WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury has claimed that his time inside the ring is over.
However, many fans and experts within the industry believe this is not true.
Whomever comes out on top in the August 20 rematch between WBA, WBO and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua could have a major say on whether Tyson laces up the gloves once more, and when speaking exclusively to DAZN courtesy of FreeBets.com, Tyson’s father, John Fury, expects his son to come back, especially if Joshua can overcome Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
“You can never say never. It's like that song that Tyson sings all the time, it's like the Hotel California, you can check out but you can never leave,” the elder Fury responded when asked about whether Tyson is done with boxing.
“The thing is as a boxer, he's spending a bit of time with his family, his children, doing what husbands and what fathers do. At the end of the day, I think he's enjoying himself but that will only last for so long.
“It all depends on what happens with Joshua and Usyk. If Joshua gets the win, then it's game on. But do I think he's come back? Yes, I do.
“He says to me he's done, I hear it every day, but no one knows him as well as I do. He can wake up one morning and say ‘Right, back in the gym. Game on. Who've I got in front of me?’ That's just Tyson. He's got nothing else; he lives such a mundane life out of the boxing world, and even he will get sick of that shortly.
“He's enjoying some well-earned rest. He'll have a few exhibitions and he'll enjoy himself but if AJ beats Usyk, which is a tall order, but IF he does, then it's game on. Tyson's not going to be able to resist that.”
Tyson has been linked with a number of exhibition fights since his win over Whyte, including a date with the UFC’s heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, and while these may not be fights fans want to see the WBC world heavyweight champion participate in, his father believes the entertainment aspect of these events is something Tyson will thrive off. But when the call comes to return to the ring on a competitive basis, Tyson will have the full support of his family regardless of who is in the opposite corner.
“I think the exhibitions are good for him. It gets him out there, it's an enjoyable time for him, it's what he wants to do, because he likes the aura,” Fury said.
“He likes the crowds; he likes fun and he likes to entertain. Tyson is a born entertainer, always has been from a kid. This is what he does best, so let him enjoy it.
“But you know when the serious stuff starts, I'll know. We're all behind him, whatever he wants to do and I think that's the best way to be. Let him off the leash, let him enjoy it and when the real stuff starts, we're back there right behind him.”