Eddie Hearn believes Tyson Fury's latest retirement is a publicity stunt ahead of Anthony Joshua's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury defeated Dillian Whyte back in April before confirming the fight would be his last in the ring, despite the looming prospect of an undisputed title clash with the winner of Joshua's sequel with Usyk. The 'Gypsy King' has since made a number of U-turns which suggested he would be open to fighting Joshua next, but announced on his 34th birthday that his retirement was now official.
The champion posted in a statement: "Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years and after long hard conversations I've finally decided to walk away and on my 34th birthday I say bon voyage." Eddie Hearn has since responded to Fury's recent retirement, when he told iFL TV. "Someone told me that Tyson Fury has announced his retirement again.
"He must be so insecure to have to do this every time AJ fights. I don't know at what point you must sit there and go 'What I am going to do is talking s*** to get publicity and try and take the spotlight away from AJ'. You are self-proclaimed the number one heavyweight in the world so what are you bothered about Anthony Joshua before.
"He doesn't want the money and has no interest in it, but also wants half a billion. I have never seen so many contradictions, I contradict myself so much but he is on another level. Let's see what happens next week and watch Anthony Joshua knock out Usyk and then he is coming for Tyson Fury."
Hearn has been vocal in dismissing Fury's persistent retirement claims, with many figures close to Fury also suggesting it will be likely that he will return to the ring. Even Fury's own promoter Frank Warren claimed the star had "itchy feet" and was raring to find his next challenge in the sport despite his plans to never return.
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This week, Fury has been in a busy mood having gone back and forth with former two-time rival Derek Chisora over a trilogy bout which he had made a £2 million offer to stage in December. He later took a flight to Iceland in a bid to find strongman Thor Bjornsson in a bid to sort out an immediate exhibition fight, but his rival was nowhere to be found.
Bjornsson later demanded a contract but Fury later announced his retirement, despite the fight still being able to go ahead under Fury's claim he will continue to take to the ring in exhibitions. This retirement message did act with more purpose however, with Fury informing WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman of his intentions to hang up his gloves.
Sulaiman confirmed the news during a public statement congratulating the heavyweight on his career. However he has yet to announce whether Fury will be stripped of his title, or if the 'Gypsy King' now plans to vacate the crown.
