Ricky Hatton believes Tyson Fury would “jump” at the opportunity to face Anthony Joshua, despite announcing his retirement earlier this year.
Fury and Joshua were expected to finally clash this year, until ‘The Gypsy King’ bowed out from the sport in January following successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
Hatton though, a long-time friend of the Morecambe man, is confident the 36-year-old would reverse his decision if a suitable offer was presented to him to face his British rival.
“Tyson’s retired before,” the Manchester favourite told Sky Sports.
“It just so happens they were trying to make the Joshua fight.
“They were trying to make it for 10 years and it looks like they’re still not going to make it now Tyson’s retired.
“But I would take that retirement with a pinch of salt knowing Tyson.
“If he gets offered the right money, the right purse for the AJ fight, knowing Tyson as I do, I think he’d jump at it.”
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Joshua, 35, has not fought since a devastating fifth round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois in September at Wembley Stadium.
Former world champion, Hatton feels Fury could regret not facing ‘AJ’ in years to come, but hopes that he retires for good after fighting his compatriot.
“I think Tyson will kick himself if he’s sat on his sofa 10 years down the line and thinks to himself: ‘I wonder what would have happened if I’d have fought AJ?'” he added.
“He’s in a position to do something about now rather than be cursing himself for the rest of his life.
“If he does, that’s the last one I’d like him to have.
“Because you don’t like to see your mates get hurt.
“I’d like to see him retire. I think he’s done enough. I would like to see the AJ fight but I think he’s done enough.”
Some fans were expecting Fury to announce his comeback last week after posting a video with the caption: “Did you miss me?”
However, there was no retirement U-turn, after it was confirmed last Tuesday, the former two-time heavyweight world champion would co-manage England during Soccer Aid – a charity football match raising money for Unicef – on June 15 alongside former England captain, Wayne Rooney.
