Boxing: Tyson Fury retirement probably only a ‘pause’, says Josh Warrington

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.