Tyson Fury retires: Former world champion announces retirement again

Fury’s choice to retire denies followers the prospect to see a long-anticipated conflict with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.

On Saturday, Joshua mentioned a battle with Fury “has to occur this yr” when talking on the Ring Journal awards.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has nonetheless questioned the legitimacy of Fury’s announcement.

“We have been right here earlier than. If that’s the finish, congratulations on an excellent profession,” Hearn advised BBC Sport.

“Among the finest heavyweights of this technology and made a bucket load of cash. In case your hearts not in it, if the battle has been punched out of you, it is positively time to name it quits.

“A number of individuals will all the time counsel that he may very well be calling a bluff, however I do not know him effectively sufficient to provide you a solution. If you don’t need it anymore, in case your hearts not in it anymore, should you’ve had the battle punched out of you – it is a harmful recreation.”

Joshua and Fury have been main figures within the heavyweight division over the previous decade however each want to bounce again from losses.

Joshua suffered the fourth defeat of his profession in opposition to IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September, whereas Fury’s final two journeys to the ring have resulted in losses in opposition to Usyk.

“You don’t want to get within the ring with Anthony Joshua should you’re doing it for cash,” Hearn added.

“You have to need it. You have to need to present the British public with the most important battle within the historical past of the game. You have to need to go to struggle with AJ and get that victory. If it is only a cash factor, you have obtained sufficient cash.

“I am all the time an optimist. For me when that battle with AJ is a battle that may be made in two minutes in a room, I’m all the time hopeful. However Tyson Fury’s earned the correct to make his personal choices. If he is finished, he is finished. If not, then we make the most important battle within the historical past of the game. Solely time will inform.