Tyson Fury steals the show at IBA's Istanbul showcase amid retirement doubts

Judging by the reception and attention he received at the IBA’s high-end show in Istanbul this week, the boxing world still has a healthy appetite for former world champion Tyson Fury.

There, along the picturesque Bosphorus Strait, the global sporting icon arrived with his entourage at the Rixos Tersane Hotel ahead of the extravagant two-day event, which aimed to “usher in boxing’s Golden Era” and unveil the International Boxing Association’s bold new vision for the sport. Festivities included a press conference, fashion show, and a thrilling seven-fight IBA Pro 7 Champions’ Night card.

Fury was part of a star-studded contingent of current and former elite Sweet Science figures — including Derek Chisora, Terence Crawford, Rolando Romero, Conor Benn, Zinnat Ferdous, Jarrell Miller, Roy Jones Jr and Shannon Briggs — alongside other champions of their crafts such as global fashion icon Naomi Campbell.

It was a feast of content for journalists from around the world, who were granted unprecedented access to these high-profile personalities, as IBA President Umar Kremlev sought to reshape the image and narrative surrounding the organisation following its 2024 expulsion from the International Olympic Committee over governance, financial transparency, and integrity concerns.

Yet it was Fury who stole the spotlight, content creators swarming around the 2.06-metre giant and former heavyweight king from the moment he set foot on the Rixos red carpet.

“Hello, Netflix! How are ya?” bellowed Fury in his distinctive Mancunian rasp.

The global streaming platform is currently trailing Fury for the second season of the hit reality series At Home With The Furys, as well as a new documentary about his life.

“Looking very much forward to the IBA event, I can’t wait — I’ll have to make sure I’ve got no shirt on,” he quipped in response to a weather forecast as he stepped out of a luxurious black V-Class Mercedes-Benz.

Throughout the event, Fury faced a barrage of questions regarding his supposed retirement, with many suspecting the “Gypsy King” has not closed the curtain on his storied career.

At the official IBA press conference, Fury was first addressed by Sky Sports journalist and commentator Andy Clarke, who asked: “Could you be tempted out of retirement, maybe, to clinch an IBA Pro belt? That’s one you haven’t got!”

“Listen,” replied Fury. “I have not got an IBA Pro belt, and I have just one thing to say to that remark … ‘SHOW ME THE MONEY!’” he shouted with a grin, to much amusement from the crowd.

Fury retired earlier this year following a professional boxing career spanning from December 2008 to February 2025 — roughly 16 years in which he claimed multiple world heavyweight titles, including the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO and WBC belts.

“I’m available. I am young, free, single and ready to mingle,” joked the ever-charismatic ‘Gypsy King’, renowned for his banter, sharp wit and eccentricity — qualities often likened to the late Muhammad Ali, whose daughter Rasheda and grandson Nico Walsh also attended the event.

Later, The Telegraph and TalkSport’s Gareth A. Davies posed the question again, this time more directly: “You’re going to be asked this over and over again, Tyson, but you’re looking in fantastic shape, we know you do two workouts a day. How much longer are you going to keep us hanging on to tell us when you’re going to come back?”

To which the 36-year-old responded: “The question is to you, Gareth — ‘how long is a piece of string?’”

The moment recalled the iconic dynamic between Ali and American broadcaster Howard Cosell — a rare connection between an elite athlete and a respected journalist.

Then came the confirmation: Fury had indeed been holding back. Prominent Saudi boxing official Turki Alalshikh announced shortly after the IBA Fight Night that Fury will come out of retirement in 2026.

"I talked with him, and I have his word to have him in the Riyadh Season in 2026. We have a rabbit to hunt,” said Alalshikh on social media.

Soon after, Fury confirmed that a third bout with Oleksandr Usyk is on and will take place at Wembley Stadium on 18 April 2026.

Fury retired just weeks after suffering a second consecutive defeat to the Ukrainian earlier this year. However, news of a trilogy fight was not well received by fans, many of whom are calling for a long-awaited showdown against fellow Briton Anthony Joshua. They argue Fury does not deserve a third crack at Usyk.

In their first meeting in May 2024, Usyk claimed the WBA, IBF, WBO and WBC titles via split decision, before sealing a more convincing unanimous decision in the rematch.

Usyk, meanwhile, is set to face another Briton — current IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois — on 19 July at Wembley Stadium in a bout for the undisputed heavyweight crown. The outcome could have significant implications for the Fury trilogy.

Fury maintains he won both previous encounters against Usyk, but boxing fans and pundits continue to push for the long-anticipated clash with Joshua, who once held the IBF, WBA (Super), WBO and IBO titles.

Still, Tyson Fury remains a magnetic force — not just in the boxing world, but in pop culture. He has transcended the ring, and his every move commands global attention.

Regardless of his next opponent, one thing is clear: when it comes to Tyson Fury, promoters, organisations and fans alike are eager to show him the money.