Eddie Hearn insists he ‘DOUBTS’ Tyson Fury’s retirement – because the Matchroom Boxing chief reveals why he believes the Gypsy King has claimed he is hanging up his gloves

Eddie Hearn has cast doubt over Tyson Fury‘s recent decision to call time on his boxing career.

Fury shocked the boxing world on Monday afternoon when he announced his immediate retirement from the sport in a 17-second video posted on his Instagram account.

The message included a cryptic reference to the English highwayman Dick Turpin, fuelling speculation about his future.

The decision comes after Fury was defeated in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last month, with the Ukrainian once again winning a decision in Saudi Arabia to defend his heavyweight titles.

Speaking after the news was announced, Hearn heaped praise on Fury’s career but insisted he does not believe the Gypsy King is quite ready to hang up his gloves just yet.

‘I think if you haven’t got a heart for it anymore and you don’t want to compete anymore. I think retirement is the best option.’ Hearn said on Instagram.

Eddie Hearn has cast doubt over Tyson Fury’s recent announcement that he is retiring from boxing

On Monday Fury dramatically revealed he is stepping away from the sport in a post on social media 

‘Disappointing obviously for British fight fans because we’ve got a chance to make the biggest fight in boxing, but if that is the last we see of him, he’s had a great career.’

‘I doubt it. But you know, it’s always best to come into retirement to make sure someone pays you to come out of retirement. 

‘But if that’s his lot, much respect to him and wish him all the best.’

Asked to elaborate on why Fury would make such an announcement if he is still prepared to return to ring, Hearn suggested the move could serve as a negotiating tactic.

He continued: ‘I just think if I was looking for the right deal, I’d go into retirement too.

‘I can’t speak on his behalf, that’s just what I would [do]. I think it’s a natural play. 

‘Maybe that’s his lot, I don’t know him well enough to comment really, I mean, he’s the man to make his own decisions and like I said, it’s not the kind of sport that you want to play in.

‘If your heart’s not in it anymore and if his heart’s not in it anymore, it’s the right decision for him.

The decision comes after Fury was defeated in his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk last month

Hearn suggested Fury’s announcement may be intended as something of a negotiating move

The 36-year-old has long been linked with an all-British showdown with longtime rival Anthony Joshua

‘Hopefully it’s not the case and we get to see the AJ fight, but if not, wish him all the best.’

Fury’s defeat against Usyk appeared to serve as the perfect setup for the long-awaited domestic showdown between the former lineal heavyweight champion and Anthony Joshua.

The pair had previously been scheduled to clash in 2022, while Fury was still the reigning WBC heavyweight champion.

Negotiations had been ongoing for a bout in December of that year before collapsing, with Fury instead defending his title against Derek Chisora at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Speaking following Fury vs Usyk II last month Hearn insisted that the time was right to strike while the iron is hot and get the two rivals to finally meet inside the ring.

‘The reality is there’s only one fight for Tyson Fury and that’s Anthony Joshua,’ Hearn said at the time.

‘It’s the biggest fight probably in the history of British boxing, everyone will always want to see it.

‘For me, AJ against Fury is the one, it’s the one at Wembley, I’m going to be pushing His Excellency [Turki Alalshikh] to make the fight.’