BOXING
He’ll be back: Tony Bellew thinks Tyson Fury’s retirement is a “bargaining tool”
Former WBC cruiserweight king Tony Bellew thinks that Tyson Fury’s retirement is nothing more than a ruse to up his purse in a fight with Anthony Joshua.

Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King, shocked the world a few days ago with a retirement announcement. The problem is, this isn’t the first time he’s made such an announcement, and many in the boxing community are raising eyebrows. Among them is former world champion Tony Bellew, who suggests that Fury’s latest retirement might be more about strategy than a genuine desire to hang up his gloves.
Bellew, known for his candid opinions, believes that Fury’s announcement could be a tactical move aimed at negotiating a future bout with Anthony Joshua.
“It’s just a bargaining tool,” Bellew says of Fury’s declaration. “Firstly, if it’s true, I wish him all the best in his retirement. Tyson is undoubtedly one of the greatest heavyweights this country has ever produced, and I hope he finds happiness. He should, given everything he’s achieved in boxing.
“The problem is, part of me isn’t entirely convinced about the seriousness of this decision. He’s retired from boxing five times before. This could simply be a bargaining tactic in negotiations for a fight with AJ. I just don’t know.
“But if it is true that he’s retiring, I wish him the best. He’s given us some incredible nights and deserves every bit of praise coming his way.”
The crux of Bellew’s skepticism lies in Fury’s track record. He’s no stranger to the retirement announcement, having done so on at least five occasions. Each time, he’s found his way back to the ring, often in spectacular fashion. Whether it’s his battle against Wladimir Klitschko to dethrone a long-reigning champion or his trilogy with Deontay Wilder that revived heavyweight boxing, Fury’s career has always been as much about the theater as it has been about the sport.
This latest announcement comes after Fury’s recent losses to Oleksandr Usyk, a fighter who’s proven himself a puzzle few can solve. Those defeats might suggest Fury is grappling with his own invincibility, but others see a shrewd negotiator at work. Bellew isn’t alone in thinking this could be a play to get Anthony Joshua back to the table.
Eddie Hearn, the promoter who’s long been the driving force behind Joshua’s career, hinted at something similar. A Fury-Joshua fight has been a dream matchup for years. The two represent contrasting styles and personalities, with Fury’s brash unpredictability set against Joshua’s polished discipline. The stakes for such a bout, both financially and in terms of legacy, couldn’t be higher.
Fury’s larger-than-life persona complicates things further. The Gypsy King doesn’t just box - he entertains. His charisma fills arenas, and his words dominate headlines. A retirement, whether genuine or calculated, fuels the narrative, keeping him firmly in the spotlight. It’s a move that ensures the world keeps talking about him, even when he’s not in the ring.
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