Tyson Fury shocked just about everyone with his retirement announcement this week, including his own family members and coaches.
Andy Lee, the legendary former middleweight champion, has been involved in many of Fury's corners in recent years. The pair are cousins and have a close friendship, but that wasn't enough for him to predict a possible historic retirement.
Most recently, following his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last month, Fury had spoken to Lee without any mention of hanging up his gloves. It appears he's done with the sport, although many fans think it's another publicity stunt considering his many previous “retirements.”
Tyson Fury quit boxing earlier this week in a bizarre video on social media
On Monday afternoon, two-time heavyweight champion Tyson Fury confirmed on social media that he will retire from boxing after a 16-year professional career. Throughout his iconic career, he has won every professional title, including all the world titles, although never undisputed at the same time.
“Hello everyone, I'm going to make this short and sweet,” he said in a video posted to his social media channels that immediately went viral. “I would like to announce my retirement from boxing, it has been amazing, I have loved every minute of it.
He then added an extra bit of weirdness to the video: “I'm going to end with this; Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everyone, see you on the other side. Get up!”
The phrase “At least Dick Turpin wore a mask” harkens back to the 18th century highwayman and burglar Dick Turpin. It is generally used when describing someone who robs you, and has been replaced in colloquialism in recent years by cruder terms.
Andy Lee claims he had no idea about Tyson Fury's retirement
It appears Fury's announcement was made without mentioning any of the key players in his career. Promoter Frank Warren was blindsided and it now appears his coach and cousin Andy Lee were also left in the dark.
“No, I have spoken to him since the fight, but not to those in that context,” Lee told Bloody Elbow in an exclusive interview at the press conference for Paddy Donovan vs. Lewis Crocker. “I was as surprised as anyone else.
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
“I don't know anything. I can't really speak for him because no one knows the mind of that man, he is his own man. He's a unique character and he's done everything he can in boxing, I think. If he fights Joshua, it would be a nice swan song for both of them.
“They both don't need the money, I don't know if they need it to scratch the itch. I don't think they really do that. I think if they were to fight each other it would be more to satisfy others' curiosity than their own.
“Well, if he wants to fight again, he will. If he doesn't want to, whatever it is, we're still friends. We'll talk all the time. That's it.”
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