- Fury retired from boxing in January after consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk
- He walked away from a reported two-fight deal with Joshua in the process
- But Fury’s close friend Hatton believes he could yet return to finally fight AJ
Ricky Hatton has revealed what it will take to get Tyson Fury out of retirement – and a much-desired super-fight with Anthony Joshua is at the heart of it.
The boxing world has long been dreaming about a ‘Battle of Britain’ between two of this generation’s best heavyweights, but the two former world champions have somehow yet to share the ring.
Hopes of finally getting a bout signed seemed to go up in smoke when Fury announced his retirement in January, walking away from a reported two-fight deal with AJ after suffering consecutive losses to Oleksandr Usyk.
However, British boxing legend and Fury’s close friend Hatton has revealed that there is still cause for optimism regarding a return for the Gypsy King.
‘Tyson’s retired before,’ he 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.
Tyson Fury retired in January but could yet return if a bout with Anthony Joshua resurfaces
Fury called time on his career after suffering consecutive losses to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk
Joshua hasn’t competed since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium
‘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.’
Manchester favourite Hatton played a part in getting Fury back into the ring in 2018, before the Gypsy King embarked on a legacy-defining run.
And while Fury claims he’s called time on his career once and for all, Hatton believes taking the Joshua fight would be the right choice for the 36-year-old.
Hatton added: ‘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’s in a position to do something about now rather than be cursing himself for the rest of his life.’
That said, Hatton does not feel Fury has anything left to prove and insists his legacy won’t be impacted if he chooses not to return.
‘I’d like to see him retire,’ he said. ‘I think he’s done enough. I would like to see the AJ fight but I think he’s done enough.
‘Let’s have it right, a few years ago when he was 26st, we never thought he’d fight again. He nearly wasn’t here for all the problems that he had. So for him to do what he’s done, he’s done us all proud and I’d like to see him retire now.
Fury’s close friend Ricky Hatton believes the AJ fight will be key to a Gypsy King in-ring return
Hatton helped Fury back into the ring in 2018, before he embarked on a legacy-defining run
‘His fights against Usyk were I think a lot closer than AJ’s fights with Usyk. Daniel Dubois obviously got beat by Usyk and there was a bit of controversy in that one.
‘I think Usyk won both the fights against Tyson but I can see why other people thought Tyson might have won them. Because they were that close. Tyson, he’s still got plenty in the tank as far as I’m concerned. He’s pushed Usyk furthest out of anyone else.
‘Look what he’s done and what he’s achieved. He’s had that trilogy with Deontay Wilder which was an absolutely sensational three-fight battle.
‘He’s come back when no one thought he could and became heavyweight champion of the world. He’s got nothing left to prove.’
