Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn reacts to Tyson Fury ‘retiring from boxing’

Anthony Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn doubts boxing fans have seen the last of Tyson Fury and believes his retirement announcement is a ploy to get more money for a return fight.

Fury, 36, said he was walking away from the sport in a video on social media on Monday.

The former heavyweight champion was beaten for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk last month.

Fury previously announced his retirement from boxing in April 2022 but returned six months later, and Hearn expects a similar situation this time around.

Despite losing twice to Usyk, Fury had been tipped to be involved in some mega fights in 2025, with British heavyweight rival Joshua a potential opponent.

The pair have repeatedly been linked with a fight over the past decade and Joshua, 35, recently called out Fury.

Reacting to Fury’s announcement, Hearn told iFL TV: ‘I saw that coming, yeah. I saw that coming.

‘If you ever want to come back and get the max, you have to retire first, haven’t you? Someone then has to bring you out of retirement.

‘If that’s the last we see of Tyson Fury then good luck to him. I doubt it personally but whatever he chooses to do, much respect to him.

‘I think he’ll want to fight again, I think he will get bored and he will know the British public want to see the AJ fight.

‘My personal belief if we’ll see him in the ring again. If not then good luck to the man.’

Asked if he was disappointed by Fury’s announcement, Hearn added: ‘No, no. I don’t get disappointed. What will be will be.

‘Some things in life are completely out of your hands. You can’t get disappointed.

‘If he wants to retire there’s nothing we can do about it. If he’s up for the fight – the biggest fight in the sport – then great. My gut feeling is we’ll see it.

‘AJ wants that fight. Maybe Fury hasn’t got it in him anymore and hasn’t got the heart for it. If he hasn’t then he should retire.’

If Fury does follow through with his latest retirement announcement, he will end his professional career with 34 wins, two defeats and one draw.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren told BBC Radio 5 Live: ‘I’ve said all along that there is no way I will be trying to in anyway influence him.

‘If that what he wants to do, that’s great. He’s done everything he can do. Probably been the best British heavyweight of his generation by far.

‘Two-time world champion, two closely fought fights against Usyk. He’s got plenty of money, got his wits about him, got a lovely family. God bless him, enjoy.

‘He’s become a world star. If you look at some of the fights he’s had, he’s not been in one fight that hasn’t been exciting. Very, very exciting fights.

‘Big heart, got off the floor when he’s been knocked down by big punches and come back to win fights. He’s been something special.’

It was only two days ago that Joshua confirmed he was interested in fighting Fury.

‘It’s a fight I want to see because I am a fan of boxing,’ he said at the Ring Magazine awards in London. ‘When I am in the gym, everyone is asking me [about this fight].

‘I ain’t got many years ahead of me. I want to leave the game with a bang and make an impact.

‘Everyone is asking me the same question. It’s up to me to deliver, that’s why I’m saying it has to happen this year. I think we can make this fight happen.’

Like Fury, Joshua also suffered back-to-back defeats to Usyk before rebuilding with four successive victories.

But Joshua’s title hopes suffered a major blow in his last fight as he was knocked out by an inspired Daniel Dubois.

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