Prominent boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has expressed doubts about Tyson Fury’s recent retirement announcement.
The 36-year-old boxer made waves on social media by declaring his decision to walk away from the sport following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. However, Hearn is unsure whether this announcement signals the end of Fury’s career or is simply part of a strategy to heighten the stakes for a potential fight with Anthony Joshua.
Speaking to Matchroom Boxing, Hearn acknowledged that if Fury genuinely no longer had the desire to compete, retirement would be the right move.
“If you haven’t got the heart for it anymore and you don’t want to compete anymore, I think retirement is the best option,” Hearn explained to Matchroom Boxing.
“It’s disappointing for British fight fans because we’ve got the chance to make the biggest fight in boxing. But if that’s the last we see of him, he’s had a great career. I doubt it. But it’s always best to come into retirement to make sure someone pays you to come out of retirement.”
Battle of Britain has lost a lot of hype
Hearn had long hoped to see Fury face off against Joshua this year, but with Fury’s retirement announcement, the future of that fight seems unclear.
If Fury is truly out of the picture, Hearn indicated that Joshua would likely shift his attention to other potential opponents. Specifically, Joshua could look to face the winner of the February 22 clash between IBF titleholder Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker.
“I just think if I was looking for the right deal, I would go into retirement, too. But I can’t speak on his behalf. I think it’s a natural play. But maybe that’s his lot. I don’t know him well enough to comment,” Hearn concluded.
“He’s the man to make his own decisions. It’s not the kind of sport you want to play in if your heart’s not in it anymore. And if your heart’s not in it anymore, it’s the right decision for him. Hopefully, it’s not the case, and we get to see the AJ fight.”
While fans were eager to witness the long-awaited Fury-Joshua showdown, the uncertainty surrounding Fury’s retirement leaves the possibility of that fight in limbo.
Read the full article here
