Fury will visit US promoter Bob Arum in Las Vegas in May as the pair still have two fights remaining on their American agreement
Tyson Fury has been given the green light by wife Paris to return to the ring and unify the heavyweight division by facing either Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, despite hinting that he will retire after his victory over Dillian Whyte on Saturday night.
Fury was adamant at Wembley that he will retire from professional boxing after reaching 33 fights unbeaten with a dominant and clinical performance in stopping Dillian Whyte, having delivered what he said would be a fitting farewell in front of 94,000 fans.
But some members of his family, and his wife Paris, would support the fighter if he did choose to return, with the prospect of fighting for the undisputed heavyweight crown against the winner of Usyk and Joshua – who are likely to contest the IBF, WBA and WBO titles in the Middle East in July.
Boxing has not had an undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis over 20 years ago, and although Fury, 34 in August, said post-fight that he had made a promise to his wife that this would be his last foray as a prizefighter, she believes it may not be the last time he steps foot in the ring.
“I would like him to come out now. He has nothing more to prove,” said Paris Fury. “If he had anything left to do, I would say, ‘Yeah Tyson, you do it’.
“But he has nothing to prove. So unless he really wants to box on, and if he’s just doing for whatever money, fame… he doesn’t need that. He’s the most famous man on the planet tonight.
“For Tyson to keep boxing, it just seems for one reason and I know in my heart, I think the only reason that Tyson will come back is for the unification fight.”
Fury delivered his verdict after knocking Whyte down at the end of the sixth round of their heavyweight contest, which took his career earnings to an eye-watering estimated £125 million.
“I have to be a man of my word, and I think this might be the final curtain for the Gypsy King, and what a way to go out,” said Fury, revealing that he had even promised his wife he would retire after winning his epic trilogy-fight battle against Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas in October last year.
However, the “might be my last” could change if the itch returns that the fighter needs to scratch.
Telegraph Sport can also reveal that Fury will visit his 90-year-old US promoter Bob Arum in Las Vegas in May to discuss his future as the pair still have two fights remaining on their American agreement.
Arum’s Top Rank boxing promotion still has two fights left in the USA on an existing contract with the boxer, which could factor into any imminent retirement plans.
Francis Ngannou, the UFC’s current mixed martial arts heavyweight champion, was also ringside at the fight, and stepped into the ring afterwards. Fury has teased the idea several times of a cross-code boxing match but it is understood that talks for that type of contest are at a very early stage, if they even go ahead.
However, Fury’s UK promoter Frank Warren said that he would “not try to convince Tyson” to go into the ring again, and that it must be the fighter’s decision.
“If it was going to be the last fight, it’ll be the last fight. That’s his decision, he’s the guy getting in the ring. And if it is his last fight he has gone out on such a high,” said Warren.
If this becomes the final Fury ring walk in a fascinating career, in which he has surpassed his rival heavyweights of this era, then it was an emphatic end in an atmosphere of triumphalism, his first contest in the UK for four years. Fury extended his unbeaten career resume over Whyte to 32 wins and a draw – with 23 knockouts – absorbing the atmosphere and showing his mastery of the loneliest, most brutal, of sports.
Lewis, the former champion and last man to unify the heavyweight division, added his view that the chance to emulate him would prove too much to turn down.
“Fury’s at the top of the game, the best heavyweight in the world. Nothing’s stopping him,” said Lewis, who believes Fury will fight again. “He’s going to take some time and rest and come back to us. I would understand [if he retires] but I hope he comes back.
“I doubt [he’ll retire], I think he’ll be back in the ring. I believe Fury’s going to want to go for undisputed [title].”
Fury described himself as a “legend” in the aftermath of his stunning victory and said that he will join Rocky Marciano as the only reigning unbeaten heavyweight champion to retire from the sport.
“I’m a legend in this game, you can’t deny it. I’m the best heavyweight there’s ever been. There ain’t never been anyone that could beat me,” added Fury post-fight.
“I’ve spent a lot of time on the road, I’ve been away a long time. I’ve fulfilled everything I’ve ever wanted to fulfil. I’m going to retire as only the second heavyweight in history, after Rocky Marciano, to retire undefeated.”
This Article First Appeared On The Telegraph