'Retirement is terrifying - but Fury's not done'
I was 100% committed to that decision. I was broken, both physically and mentally. I did a lap of honour and told Eddie Hearn I was retiring.The next day, on the way home, was the longest and most painful drive of my life. For the next couple of weeks, I'd take my kids to school then come back and get into bed and start crying.Because boxing isn't just a job to me – it was who I was. It kept me away from trouble, gave me a purpose when others around me didn't have one. So when that part of you suddenly disappears, it's terrifying.People messaged me, even those who admitted they didn't like me, telling me to hold my head up. I watched my fight and realised it wasn't as bad as I thought. At the football, Leeds United fans were stopping me, telling me I wasn't finished.So I went back to the gym, started moving again and realised I still had something left. I couldn't go out like that.
Boxing buzz, lure of the pound & need for union
It's easy to say, "Why don't you just walk away?"But unless you've lived it, you don't understand. The structure of training, the routine, the high of fight week – it's like a drug.I've never touched recreational stuff in my life but I imagine the hit of fight night is not far off. The lights, the adrenaline, the buzz – it's addictive.And let's not lie – the money matters. Boxing isn't just a passion, it's a business. One punch can change your life and the pay packets? Insane. You've got influencers making millions from novelty fights.So if you're a top heavyweight like Fury, what's 36 minutes in the ring when there's eight figures on the line?But that's where it gets dangerous. The damage adds up. You're getting hit in the head. And what does all that money mean when your speech starts to slur or your reactions slow down?That's why I say boxing needs a union. Footballers have the PFA (Professional Footballers' Association). We've got nothing.Most of us come from council estates and broken homes – boxing is a way out. But when it ends, the phone stops ringing. The tax bills roll in. You don't know who to turn to. And that's when some fighters spiral into drink, gambling or depression.
A union could help. It could give guidance, investment advice, even set age limits for comebacks. Because let's face it, a 58-year-old Mike Tyson getting back in the ring? That's not a comeback – that's a health risk. This isn't Oasis reforming. This is people getting punched in the head.As for Tyson Fury? He'll be back. And yes, I think the Anthony Joshua fight happens. It's too big not to. Maybe it's not what it once could've been – two unbeaten heavyweights fighting for all the belts – but it still matters. There's still pride, still legacy.Fury might take a tune-up or he might dive straight in.Either way, I don't believe he's done. Not yet. Not until the lights are off, the gloves hung up for good and he's found something that gives him the same thrill. But believe me, that's the hardest part. I'm not sure anything else will ever come close.Josh Warrington was speaking to BBC Sport's Kal Sajad.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Lawrence Okolie eyes fight that has ‘got to happen' with British rival Fabio Wardley
Two-division world champion Lawrence Okolie believes he is on a collision course with fellow British heavyweight Fabio Wardley, describing a potential bout between the two a 'guaranteed fight'. Okolie is rated at number one by the World Boxing Council (WBC), whilst Wardley is the World Boxing Association's (WBA) interim champion at heavyweight. As such, the two Brits are firmly in contention for a world title shot. After missing out on a fight with Dillian Whyte, who will now face Moses Itauma later this month, Okolie is targeting Whyte's protege, Wardley. Asked by The Ring if he would be interested in facing Wardley, Okolie responded: 'Definitely. I think me and him, if, God willing, we keep winning, it's a guaranteed fight that's got to happen. 'If you talk about what he's done, he's done well – he's done really well in his last fight. He showed a lot in that fight. Obviously, I wanted the Dillian Whyte fight, that didn't materialise, Moses [Itauma] is getting that. 'Dillian manages Fabio, so if I can't get Dillian, give me Fabio, and we can have a dance.' Wardley last fought at the start of June, salvaging a win in front of his home crowd in Ipswich by knocking out Justis Huni in the 10th round. Okolie's most recent fight was in July, on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk 's victory over Daniel Dubois for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. The 32-year-old managed to defeat Kevin Lerena despite injuring his bicep early into the bout. That was just Okolie's second fight at heavyweight, having moved up from cruiserweight and bridgerweight, divisions where he won the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and WBC titles respectively. As such, Okolie is eyeing up further fights in boxing's biggest divisions, including WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel. Another name that came up in conversation was Tony Yoka, the 2016 Olympic gold medallist at super-heavyweight. But Okolie is unconvinced that the Frenchman would be interested in such a bout. He said: 'I'm sure if they offered him the fight, he'd be another person that would say no to it. I don't know why, I just get that feeling from him. 'I don't know with him. I think he's probably just someone waiting around maybe for an AJ [Anthony Joshua] fight. I don't know what it is about him, but I don't really get the vibe he wants to fight anyone. But we'll see over the coming months.' DAZN Matchroom, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Misfits, PFL, BKFC, GLORY and more. An Annual Saver subscription is a one-off cost of £119.99 / $224.99 (for 12 months access), that's just 64p / $1.21 per fight. There is also a Monthly Flex Pass option (cancel any time) at £24.99 / $29.99 per month. A subscription includes weekly magazine shows, comprehensive fight library, exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and podcasts and vodcasts.
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
Car loans: Why could drivers still get compensation after court ruling?
Millions of UK motorists could be eligible for payouts worth hundreds of pounds after regulators announced an industry-wide compensation scheme. It came after a landmark Supreme Court ruling over whether motor finance firms complied with rules related to commission paid by lenders to dealers selling car loans. The ruling on Friday was widely considered a victory for finance firms potentially affected, after it was judged that two key cases were did not break the law. Here the PA news agency looks at why consumers could still be able to make claims for compensation payments. What was the court case and why was it important? The UK's highest court was considering an appeal against a Court of Appeal ruling made in October last year, relating to three claimants who had each bought cars on credit. In each case, the car dealer made a profit on the sale of the car but also received a commission from the lender for introducing the business to them, which the three claimants argued they did not know about. The Court of Appeal originally found that 'secret' commission payments, as part of finance arrangements made before 2021 without the motorist's fully informed consent, were unlawful. The lenders, FirstRand Bank and Close Brothers, challenged the decision. If the case confirmed that these three cases were all still unlawful, then consumers who bought cars with similar finance deals could make claims to potentially secure compensation. What was the result? On Friday, Lords Reed, Hodge, Lloyd-Jones, Briggs and Hamblen ruled that car dealers did not have a relationship with their customers that would require them to act only in the customers' interest, and that the Court of Appeal was wrong. But they said that some customers could still receive payouts by bringing claims under the Consumer Credit Act (CCA). It upheld one of the three claims and stressed that it was still broadly considered 'unfair'. What does it mean for consumers? Consumers who are concerned that they were not told about commission and think they may have paid too much could therefore still be eligible for compensation. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) watchdog said not all claims will receive payouts however. The FCA had launched its own process to look at discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs) on motor finance deals in 2024 but had put this on hold until the outcome of the Supreme Court case. Some 80,000 open cases on this issue were effectively paused for the ruling. Who is eligible for compensation? The case specifically relates to people who took out car loans between 2007 and 2021. Consumer champion Martin Lewis said in a video posted to X that millions of people are still likely to be due payments. He told Sky News the consultation is 'likely to mean 40% of people who got a car finance deal between 2007 and 2021 will be due some form of redress'. How much could I receive? The FCA said it is consulting on a redress scheme which is expected to cost between £9 billion and £18 billion. This is expected to mean victims could receive up to £950 in compensation. The regulator stressed that it was 'hard to estimate precisely at this stage the total cost to industry of the scheme'. What will the compensation process be? Currently, a lot is still not known about who exactly is eligible and how it will take place. The FCA has said that those who have already complained do not need to do anything and advised that others with potential claims contact their car loan provider, rather than use a claims management company. The regulator added that its consultation will be launched by early October. If the compensation scheme goes ahead, the first payments should be made in 2026. What does that mean for car finance firms? The motor finance industry is expected to cover the costs of the compensation, including administrative costs. Over the past few years, lenders and motor finance firms have been setting aside money to cover potential compensation payments. Why has the sector reacted positively to this? On Monday, shares in lender Lloyds and Close Brothers moved firmly higher after the ruling appeared to be more favourable than expected. Lloyds told shareholders on Monday morning that further financial provisions are 'unlikely to be material' in order to cover likely redress payments. While there is still some uncertainty over the cost of redress for the industry, positive outcomes in two of the cases mean they are likely to face fewer claims than previously expected. AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said: 'While this issue could still cause some damage, it looks unlikely to be a repeat of the PPI scandal which blighted the banking industry in the 2010s.'
The Independent
6 minutes ago
- The Independent
England beaten in all-time thriller as India secure series draw with six-run win
India completed one of the most dramatic Test match victories ever seen on British soil, squaring the series with a stunning six-run victory after Chris Woakes attempted to carry England over the line with a dislocated shoulder. England arrived on the final day of a classic Test summer needing 35 runs to complete a remarkable chase of 374 but were blown away on a morning of unbearable tension and true sporting drama. They lost four for 28 as Jamie Smith, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson succumbed to searing pressure at the Oval. Woakes, who is expected to be out for several months with the injury he sustained in the field on Friday, answered his country's call by coming out at number 11 to try and finish the job. Holding the bat in hand, with his left arm bundled up in a sling under his sweater, he joined the fray with 17 runs still needed and was grimacing in pain throughout his brief stay. In the end he did not face a ball as Mohammed Siraj clean bowled Atkinson to secure a sensational result and a 2-2 series draw. The drama unfolded across 57 unforgettable minutes that tested the courage, character and cricketing will of both sides to the limit. Had Woakes played his part in edging England to their target, batting left-handed and against all medical good sense, it would have gone down in the pantheon of great moments at this famous ground. As it was it a near miss. It was also a fitting conclusion to see the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy shared between two teams who have pushed each other to the physical and psychological depths over the course of seven gripping weeks. Ben Stokes' team may not travel for this winter's Ashes as favourites but they will go having been pushed all the way in a five-match marathon that has challenged them like never before. Even so, they will reflect with regret on squandering a winning position of 301 for three on the third afternoon, with Joe Root and Harry Brook both sitting pretty on centuries. Before bad light and rain halted play on Sunday, England's scoring had ground to a complete halt with the ball zipping around merrily and beating the bat at will. The rollercoaster continued to throw up surprises on Monday as Overton hit the first two balls to the boundary. Prasidh Krishna's first ball was short but a full-blooded pull shot still came as a surprise given the precarious nature of the situation. The second was a win for the bowler, jagging into the inside edge and skimming past leg stump, but the result was the same. Having shaved the target down to 27, the battle switched to Siraj versus Smith. This time it was India who landed a blow, Smith's feet in cement as he wafted outside off to his first two balls then nicked the third. There was a brief delay as the umpires checked the dismissal but it was a clean nick and safe catch from Dhruv Jurel, sparking riotous celebrations among the large contingent of away fans. The tension was almost unbearable as Atkinson arrived in the middle and came within a couple of inches of a golden duck. It was a horrible welcome delivery from Siraj, who was convinced the ball was carrying to KL Rahul at second slip. In apparent slow motion, it hit the turf agonisingly in front of his outstretched hands. England's insistence of playing at everything continued, a high-risk response that brought several more fresh-air shots and near misses as well as seven runs before the next gut punch. It was Siraj again, ducking one in and pounding the front pad. An ear-splitting appeal appeared to be falling on deaf ears but umpire Kumar Dharmasena waited an age before slowing raising his finger. Overton had already charged through to the non-striker's end seeking a leg bye and signalled for DRS as he ran through the crease line. Ball-tracking showed it clipping leg stump on umpire's call, ushering in another explosive reaction in the stands as the 20 remaining runs began to feel like five times as many. They eked out three more as Atkinson attempted to protect Tongue from the strike but he was soon exposed, Krishna railing a full ball through his defences to scatter the stumps. That meant only one thing: Woakes would need to answer the call. He came down the steps to a rousing reception, received a pat on the back from Rahul, and began his mission impossible. Atkinson decided playing for time was not an option and made an audacious move, swinging for the fences at Siraj and smashing him high and handsome towards long-off. It carried to Akash Deep but was travelling furiously and he fumbled it for a six. The game of cat and mouse now began. Siraj tossed the last ball of the over wide in the channel, Atkinson missed but set off instantly anyway. Jurel missed an underarm run-out to win the match as Woakes scrambled through in serious pain, leaving 10 to win. Atkinson knew he had to get things done quickly, but it was Siraj's story to finish as he rattled the stumps to complete a five-for.
