How does heavyweight boxing look without Tyson Fury?

‘I’m going home,’ Tyson Fury declared shortly after detonating an uppercut for the ages at Wembley Stadium that knocked out Dillian Whyte. If that is to be ‘The Gypsy King’s last action in a boxing ring, there will be no better way to sign off.

Fury is no doubt fond of a wind-up and has persistently contradicted himself over his future in the sport over the years. Previous retirement claims have been taken with a large pinch of salt but it feels different this time, with the 33-year-old last night vowing to stick to a promise made to his wife Paris.

The chance to unify the division against the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua will certainly present itself when the dust settles on that IBF, WBA and WBO title rematch in July.

But should Fury remain resolute in his promise to hang up his gloves – barring money-spinning exhibition fights and WWE appearances – it will mark a seismic shift in the heavyweight division with new challengers ready to join the title picture.

Fury has already given Deontay Wilder his blessing to step in and fight the winner of Usyk vs Joshua II. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ has somehow maintained his no1 ranking with the WBC despite two consecutive defeats but it remains to be seen what version of Wilder returns after those damaging losses to Fury.

A huge PPV return against Andy Ruiz Jr or Luis Ortiz, both also with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, might be the most likely scenario should Fury stick to his retirement plan and vacate the belt.

During Saturday’s broadcast, it was announced that Joe Joyce and Joseph Parker have all but agreed their summer showdown. Ranked no2 and no3 respectively with the WBC and no1 and no2 with the WBO, the winner of that contest will surely feel confident of