Revenge, rivalry, redemption or rage: Just why has Tyson Fury returned from retirement?

The famed American polymath Benjamin Franklin is widely thought to have been the man that popularised the idea there is nothing set in life but death and taxes.

Boxing has its fair share of idioms too, but perhaps a third alteration can be brought to bear upon this quotation - that of Tyson Fury and the inevitable unretirement.

The return of 'The Gypsy King' - the prodigal son of British boxing, repentant through triumph time and again - has been teased ever since he hung up his gloves.

Past form here built expecation rather than hope, this full boy-who-cried-wolf phenomenon that might have even convinced the man himself to go around once again.

Whatever sincerity there may have been in Fury's intentions to keep away from the game, the siren call of the canvas between four ropes has reeled him back in.

Yet now that it has, now that the non-revelation of the season has been aired, questions previously left to bubble underneath the mystery have broken to the surface.

If Tyson Fury has returned from the wilderness, bent on a career swansong that could define his legacy, just what does he want to take for him settle his accounts for good?

Revenge, rivalry, redemption and rage

Three credible options present themselves, tied into complicated considerations, touched against revenge, rivalry, redemption and the rage against the dying of the light.

Another rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, to avenge his only losses. A bout with Anthony Joshua, to settle generational beef. A shot at a title, to become three-time world champion.

Once, after settling scores with Deontay Wilder, in possession of the WBC heavyweight crown, Fury could have arguably secured his pick, and accomplished all three feats.

Now, as he returns to a division both eerily similar and strikingly upturned since his last spell, he may be fortunate to secure just the one - and arguably not his preference.

Across 2025, Fury stoked fires that his latest retirement may have been a temporary affair, pushing for Usyk - his lone vanquisher - to take a trilogy at Wembley Stadium.

The Ukrainian resisted such overtures, even as he reclaimed his IBF crown from Daniel Dubois to become undisputed for a third time in what was his only bout of the year.

An October statement confirmed no desire for a third dance, and the two-weight world champion now appears poised to pursue a fascinating bout with Wilder himself.

For the sport's powerbrokers, Joshua has long been the preferred option. The two stars had chances to meet in their title-triumph prime, bouts that crumbled into dust.

Even with no stakes but personal pride at play, an all-domestic affair between the two has long been seen as the biggest British fight of the new millennium, and then some.

But the tragic car accident in Nigeria shortly before the new year leaves Joshua's immediate future up in the air, with a sabbatical for the Olympian not out of the picture too.

One road left to glory?

That leaves Fury with just one avenue left to pursue - that of a world title bid, to earn himself a third reign in the history books alongside Ali, Klitschko, Holyfield and more.

Yet that road is narrower too, with Fabio Wardley the only other champion in the business right now, after stunning Joseph Parker for his interim crown back in October.

Usyk ultimately passed up on a mandatory bout, with the younger man elevated to take his full strap, and become the latest Briton to call himself heavyweight king of the world.

For Fury, a bout with Wardley would pit him against one of the sport's most inspiring contenders - but also a fellow Queensberry Promotions talent to boot, with plenty to lose.

It offers him a chance to prove that he still remains top dog, to battle against his status as an elder statesman whose time in the sun has grown short, long nights closing in.

Queensberry/Leigh Dawney

Frank Warren is a shrewd customer. He knows what the people want. But with no defence yet for his star, and stablemate Moses Itauma rising fast, would he bite on a bout?

In his return address, Fury made no secret of the fact that he remains a prizefighter at heart - a man who wants the biggest paycheques to provide for his family and future.

He has already amassed wealth beyond that most fighters could ever dream of. His legacy in the ring is, without question, assured of all-timer status and GOAT conversations.

There has always been a disconnect between Fury the fighter and Fury the man - a battered warrior and a romantic philosopher, seemingly in and out of love with the game.

That has been part of his appeal to his fans, the basis of respect from his critics. This latest attempt to stoke Lazarus from his slumber will draw both crowds to judge him again.

But what version they will receive will depend on how his mercenary instincts materialise - and how a sport that seems ready to move on from his time allows him the final say.

Watch Kabayel vs. Knyba with a DAZN subscription

January starts with a heavyweight bang as Agit Kabayel takes the next steps towards a world title shot as he face Damian Knyba on Saturday, January 10, exclusively on DAZN  Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.

For more information, pricing and to subscribe, click here.