Tyson Fury says he is in the “prime of his life” and dismissed suggestions he could retire.
The 35-year-old heavyweight has had to delay his unification clash with Oleksandr Usyk after sustaining a nasty cut above his eye while sparring – the fight was due to be staged on February 17 but has now been put back to May 18.
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Some fans questioned the legitimacy of the injury and speculated Fury had had second thoughts about facing the Ukrainian and was now considering walking away from the sport.
Fury insists that’s not the case and has even mapped out a five-bout schedule in which he fights Usyk twice, Anthony Joshua twice and includes a rematch against Francis Ngannou.
He said on Instagram: “I keep hearing talk of people saying I should retire or I’m going to retire soon or whatever.
“I ain’t retiring. I’ve got two fights with Usyk for the undisputed, twice.
“Then I’m going to fight AJ at least once, maybe twice, if there’s a rematch – if he wants one after the first battering I give him. Then I’m going to fight Ngannou again.
“That’s just the start. There’s five fights for you to whet your appetite. I ain’t going nowhere; I’m 35-years-old and in the prime of my life.”
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It is the second time that Fury’s long-awaited fight with Usyk – which puts the Briton’s WBC belt on the line against the WBA, IBF and WBO champion – has been delayed.
It had been earmarked to take place on December 23, 2023 only for Fury to require more time to prepare after being hurt when taking on Ngannou in October.
Fury had been expected to cruise to victory against the MMA fighter, who was boxing professionally for the first time. However, the Cameroonian put him on the canvas in the third round before Fury edged a controversial split decision.
