Tyson Fury has once again announced his retirement from boxing in a cryptic video post referencing Dick Turpin. And some fans reckon they know what it means.
The Gypsy King, now aged 36, has called it a day on his in ring career after losing his December 2024 rematch with world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
It was Fury's second career loss with the first having come at the hands of the Ukrainian less than one year earlier. Yet despite losing for the second time to arguably the greatest boxer of the current generation, there had still been talk of a career in the ring.
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A potential bout against fellow British heavyweight, Anthony Joshua, had been leading conversations, with both Fury's promoter Frank Warren and AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn saying it was what both fighters - and boxing fans - wanted.
But despite this seemingly nailed on super clash between two of Britain's best, with Wembley Stadium mentioned as the venue of choice, Fury has walked away from the ring.
It is the second time Fury has retired, the first coming in August 2022 after beating Dillian Whyte at Wembley.
In today's announcement (13 January), Fury said: "Hi everybody. I'm gonna make this short and sweet. I'd like to announce my retirement from boxing.
"It's been a blast. I've loved every single minute of it.
"And I'm gonna end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask. God bless everybody. See you on the other side. Get up."
And it is safe to say that Fury's rather left field mention of Dick Turpin has got eyebrows raised in the boxing community.
Turpin was a famous English highwayman, stealing from travellers as they journeyed up and down the country.
Explaining the mask reference, some fans say it could be one of a few things - with it ultimately meaning the same thing.
"Dick Turpin was a famous thief," one Twitter user wrote.
"When Tyson states 'at least Dick Turpin wore a mask' it’s saying at least Dick Turpin tried to hide his identity when committing a robbery.
"The question is, is this about the Usyk fight or about the pay for the AJ fight?"
Another wrote: "I think it was about judges."
And a third said: "I personally think it’s a bit of both. Wants people to talk about the Usyk fight but it’s also a tongue and cheek reference to the behind the scenes negotiations."
A fourth user added: "Dick Turpin reference related to the judges? Promoters? Boxing Organisations? All of them?
"What a career Tyson has had... including a phenomenal comeback! But to end on the Dick Turpin note does appear rather salty especially as he’s had the rub of the green for some fights."
If this truly is the end of Fury's boxing career, he will go down as one the most entertaining fighters of his generation, with his comeback against Deontay Wilder a trilogy for the ages. Cheers, big lad.
Topics: Tyson Fury, Boxing, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, UK News, Viral, Celebrity
Tom Earnshaw