Fury was at a crossroads after losing back-to-back fights in 2024 to Oleksandr Usyk, the latest such bout coming just days before Christmas. The 36-year-old, a two-time world heavyweight champion, seemed most likely to move on to a mega fight later this year against fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, but instead took to social media to proclaim the end of his boxing career.

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However, Bellew is not convinced that Fury has called it quits for good. Bellew, who also lost to Usyk when the latter was the undisputed cruiserweight world champion, pointed to Fury's earlier retirements and noted that this latest announcement could be a negotiating tactic for the potential Joshua fight, which has proven notoriously challenging to put together over the course of both Fury and Joshua's lengthy careers.

"Firstly, if it is true, I wish him all the best in his retirement," Bellew told Casino Utan Spelpaus. "Tyson is undoubtedly one of the best heavyweights this country has produced and I hope he is happy, as he should be with all he has achieved in boxing.

"The trouble is that part of me isn't convinced. He has retired five times previously. It could be just a bargaining tool in negotiations for a fight with AJ. I just don't know?

"If it is true (that he's retiring), good luck to him. He's given us some fantastic nights and deserves all the plaudits due to him." 

 

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