Tyson Fury has thrown his boxing comeback into doubt in an interview on Saturday at Doncaster racecourse, claiming he will "never" return to the ring.
The comments come despite the Gypsy King's fifth retirement U-turn being confirmed by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh and the boxer himself.
In June, Alalshikh took to social media to confirm the 36-year-old's return, writing: "The 'Gypsy King' will be back!!! I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in Riyadh Season in 2026.
"We have a rabbit to hunt!"
The 'Gypsy King' will be back!!! I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in Riyadh Season in 2026 ... 🥊 We have a rabbit to hunt! 🐰🐇 pic.twitter.com/yhDVkoQD1f
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) July 2, 2025
"Rabbit" is the nickname Fury has given Usyk throughout their rivalry, with the Ukrainian winning both encounters on the judges' scorecards.
Fury quickly reposted the message on his own story, adding: "Let's see what 2026 brings," accompanied by dollar signs and laughing emojis.
However, Fury today appeared to confirm he was not returning to the ring in an interview with Sky Sports.
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Tyson Fury appeared to confirm he would not return to the ring
|Sky Sports
When asked when fans can expect to see him back in the ring, Fury replied: "Never!"
He continued: "Really. I'm too old, look at my beard, it's all grey.
"Boxing's a young man's game."
The reporter then questioned if Fury could be get race horses as a new hobby instead, the Gypsy King replied: "Maybe. Who knows?"
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The announcement marks another astounding U-turn on the Gypsy King's retirement status.
Fury had recently been calling for a trilogy match with undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk, despite losing to him twice, as the Ukrainian solidified his status as one of the greatest fighters of his generation.
After Usyk's recent demolition of Daniel Dubois, Fury took to social media to make his feelings clear on his recent losses against the 38-year-old, and suggested he was back training for another fight.
"Congratulations to both men, but Usyk knows there is only one man who can beat him. I've done it twice before and the world knows it," he said on his Instagram story.
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Oleksandr Usyk beat Daniel Dubois last month to become the undisputed heavyweight champion
|Getty
"I'm not f*****g at some boxing match, I'm out on the road running," Fury added. "I came home. I done my job and I got myself back.
"I'm the man. I'm the Spartan. No matter what anyone wants to say, I won those fights, guaranteed, 100 per cent."
Following his knockout victory over Dubois, Usyk had been ordered to fight Joseph Parker in a mandatory title bout by the WBO.
However, it has been said that the Ukrainian is yet to start negotiations with the Kiwi boxer, casting the potential fight into doubt and leaving the door open for Fury.
Another potential fight would be the highly-anticipated, all-English bout against Anthony Joshua.
AJ has been out of the ring since his defeat to Dubois in September, with the 35-year-old having elbow surgery in the meantime, but is now ready to return to the ring.
Eddie Hearn, Joshua's boxing promoter, previously outlined a potential scenario where Joshua could face Fury twice before retirement: "If I'm advising AJ I'm thinking, 'We're back this year, two Tyson Fury fights, what else is there to do?'"
Hearn added that defeating Fury twice would allow Joshua to "sail off into the sunset" having accomplished everything in the sport.