Holyfield Reacts to Fury’s Retirement
On January 13, 2025, Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxing after losing a second consecutive decision to Oleksandr Usyk. In his announcement, Fury said he had “loved every single minute” of boxing and ended with the line, “Dick Turpin wore a mask.” Reuters reported the announcement and its timing after the December 2024 rematch.
Boxing outlet Seconds Out reported that Evander Holyfield responded to Fury’s post on Instagram: “Good luck champ. Enjoy your retirement.” The message was a brief show of support for Fury after the Usyk rematch.
Fury later reversed that retirement announcement. He confirmed in January 2026 that he would return, then defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov by unanimous decision on April 11, 2026. The official scorecards were 120–108, 120–108 and 119–109. Reuters reported the comeback plan, and the event’s official results recorded the win.
The two Usyk fights behind the announcement
Fury’s first defeat to Usyk came on May 18, 2024, in Riyadh. Usyk won a split decision over twelve rounds, adding Fury’s WBC title to his existing heavyweight belts and becoming the division’s first undisputed champion in twenty-five years. The WBA’s account of the unification records the championship significance.
The rematch on December 21 produced a unanimous verdict. All three judges scored it 116–112 for Usyk, as confirmed in Matchroom’s event results. The January retirement post therefore followed two completed championship contests against the same opponent, rather than a canceled return or an unresolved result.
Holyfield’s response was brief and supportive. It did not offer a detailed technical assessment of either Usyk fight or predict Fury’s later comeback. Keeping the comment alongside the announcement’s original date preserves its meaning: a former heavyweight champion wishing another fighter well at the point when he said his career was over.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
