Despite announcing his retirement from boxing last month, Tyson Fury has surprisingly reappeared at the number one spot in The Ring Magazine’s heavyweight rankings, fueling speculation about a potential super-fight with Anthony Joshua.
The 36-year-old “Gypsy King” had declared his fifth retirement following his second consecutive defeat to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk, but The Ring’s latest rankings suggest doubt about the permanence of his decision.
Fury now holds the top spot in the heavyweight rankings, trailing only Usyk, who is recognized as The Ring’s heavyweight champion and holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO titles.
He is ranked ahead of IBF champion Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker. Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua has climbed two places from seventh to fifth in the same rankings, despite not having fought since his knockout defeat to Dubois in September.
Joshua’s rise is attributed to losses suffered by Zhilei Zhang and Martin Bakole on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II undercard in Saudi Arabia.
Fury’s return to the rankings coincides with growing speculation about a comeback, particularly a potential showdown with Joshua. Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh has expressed a strong desire to bring Fury back for this highly anticipated fight. Alalshikh has communicated with Fury, expressing hope for his return.
While Fury has remained silent on the matter, Joshua has openly expressed his interest in facing his long-time rival, acknowledging the fight’s commercial and sporting significance.
He considers it the best fight for him, despite other potential opponents. Joshua emphasized the fight’s appeal and the inevitability of a decisive outcome.
Fury had been removed from all four major sanctioning body rankings after his retirement announcement.
However, if he decides to return, a clash with Joshua would be a landmark event in British boxing history, significantly impacting both fighters’ legacies.
