‘Fury will fight Joshua for money’

British boxing legend Ricky Hatton believes he knows what it will take for Tyson Fury to leave retirement and get in the ring with Anthony Joshua.

The much-anticipated British heavyweight showdown was being discussed until Fury announced his retirement from the sport in January following consecutive defeats to heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. Since then, the Gypsy King has given no indication that he plans to reverse his decision, but fellow Mancunian Hatton, a close friend of Fury’s, has shared his thoughts on the situation.

The former light welterweight world champion believes that for the “right money”, Tyson would “jump” at the chance to share the ring with his fellow countryman.

He told Sky Sports: “Tyson’s retired before. 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.

“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.”

Hatton recommended that Fury take the Joshua fight, asserting that missing the opportunity could lead to the 36-year-old having regrets down the line.

“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 it now rather than be cursing himself for the rest of his life.”

Fury’s decision to retire left boxing fans around the world disappointed as the former world heavyweight champion announced his decision on social media.

Hatton, who was in Fury’s corner for his 2018 fight against Deontay Wilder, acknowledged that while Joshua might tempt Fury out of retirement, he believes the Gypsy King has accomplished enough and would like to see him hang up his gloves for good.

“If he does, that’s the last one I’d like him to have. Because you don’t like to see your mates get hurt.”