Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury will come out of retirement for a legacy-defining clash with Anthony Joshua.
Fury stunned the boxing world on Monday when he announced his departure from the sport, leaving behind a mega-fight with Joshua.
‘The Gypsy King’ announced his shock decision less than a month after suffering a second straight defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh, but Joshua’s promoter, Hearn is convinced the Morecambe man will return to the ring to deliver a long-awaited showdown with ‘AJ’, who is coming off the back of a fifth round stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois.
“I think he’ll be back in my opinion,” the 45-year-old told talkSPORT.
“But I don’t know him well enough to judge.
“He’s coming off the back of two defeats and these defeats they hurt the guys.
“AJ was devastated with his defeat to Dubois and I’m sure Fury is as well [with his defeats to Usyk], they’re both winners.
“I don’t know if Fury can leave one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport on the table.
“I know he’s a competitor. I know he’ll want to give the British fight fans what they want and hopefully we see him again.
“But if we don’t, god speed and all the best.”
Fury hung up the gloves after defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, only to return eight months later for a third fight with Derek Chisora, who he beat comfortably at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Hearn said Joshua would now look to secure a clash with the winner of the February 22 bout between his former rivals Dubois and Joseph Parker, who meet for the former’s IBF heavyweight world title in Riyadh.
Should Fury return for a an ‘AJ’ fight, the Matchroom boss insists the loser would have nowhere to go.
“Both guys would be devastated to lose,” he added.
“It’s one thing losing for the world heavyweight title, but at the same time, losing in a fight of this magnitude is the ultimate bragging rights.
“At this stage in their careers, the last word is goodbye.
“Whoever loses that fight is done and whoever wins that fight moves on and that’s what you’re fighting for.
“You’re not just fighting for legacy, you’re fighting to save your career.
“It’s a massive fight, but again at the moment it’s not on the table.”
