We've all heard the idiom that says that the only two things in life that are inevitable are 'death and taxes'. Ol' Ben Franklin had a point. I mean, it's hard to argue with his statement. But if he were around today, he'd add, 'and the inevitable retirement announcement from Tyson Fury.'
Because just a couple of days ago 'the Gypsy King' stated his intention to retire from the ring (again).
https://x.com/boxingontnt/status/1878802221099630774
Now, it has to be said that not many in the boxing industry are taking this announcement too seriously given the history. This isn't the first time that he's done this, and it may not be the last.
Riyadh Season
The 36 year old Fury is coming off his second consecutive defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk on December 21 in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps he's angry over the decision (which most observers agreed with) or he's just bored (which is always a possibility). Some theorize that as a potential all-British heavyweight battle with Anthony Joshua looms for the summer, Fury is just trying to gain further leverage in the upcoming negotiations.
The reality is that with how infrequent modern day boxers perform, basically all of them ''retire'' for a few months, and then get back into action. Seriously, if his next fight isn't till the midway point of 2025, Fury will have plenty of time to announce his triumphant return to the ring.
Riyadh Season
Sugar Ray Leonard, who was certainly no stranger to comebacks, once remarked that boxers don't really retire, they just simply change their minds.
So when/if Fury announces, I guess all we can say is, "Welcome back!! It's like you never left."
THE SHOWDOWN
So I'm sure you've heard by now that the much-talked about showdown between super middleweight champion, Saul Alvarez, and four-division champion, Terence Crawford, is now a reasonable possibility for the fall.
While it's been reported by various individuals that it's already a done deal, what I've been told is that nothing has been finalized as of yet, but significant progress is being made. This match-up would take place in September in Las Vegas.
Word is that both boxers have signed multi-fight deals with Turki Alalshihk and his organization.
Pundits and fans have varying opinions on this bout, but judging by the reaction on social media and how videos go viral when guys like Tim Bradley give their takes on it, there's no doubt that this event will do very well both at the box-office and on pay-per-view.
The reality is that both 'Canelo' -- who is perhaps the game's last real pay-per-view franchise -- and Terence Crawford are well known boxers with different segments of the American population. They are also both still listed very high on just about every pound-for-pound list. For instance, Ring Magazine has 'Bud' listed at number three, with Alvarez seventh.
As Bob Arum told me years ago, when it comes to pay-per-view, ''You've got to have stars."
TWITTER TANK
Meanwhile, as Crawford tries to secure his next lucrative assignment, he got into a Twitter/X battle with Gervonta Davis on Tuesday. And yeah, it got heated, and at times, went below the belt.
Well, at least 'Tank' tried to finally punch above his weight.
3KR
This weeks episode of 'the 3 Knockdown Rule' with Mario Lopez and yours truly features a return visit from former light heavyweight champion, Antonio Tarver:
THE 3 KNOCKDOWN RULE EPISODE 71 | ANTONIO TARVER INTERVIEW
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