Eddie Hearn does not believe that Tyson Fury will retire from boxing and has stated that he is sure that he will face the winner of Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk in a unification bout later this year. Joshua's promoter Hearn has all but confirmed that Joshua vs Usyk 2 will take place on July 23 in Saudi Arabia - clashing with UFC London.
It's a rematch of their first fight when Usyk defeated Joshua comfortably via points in the first meeting back, stripping Joshua of his three titles and pushing a heavyweight unification bout further into the horizon. He must now defeat Usyk to get his career back on track.
Meanwhile, the holder of all the other heavyweight belts, Fury, confirmed that he will retire from boxing after his knockout victory over Dillian Whyte last month. Fury has since doubled and tripled down on his intentions to do so - stating he will only return to the ring for exhibition bouts.
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The fight was a stunning all-round display from Fury, who kept Whyte in his range as he worked his jab, before flooring his opponent with a swift and stunning knockout in the sixth round. Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "I've been in this game for 20 years, I'm 34 in a few months. This is definitely the end of the Gypsy King and I went out with a bang. Tonight was amazing but this is the end."
It would bring an end to one of the greatest careers in boxing history - retiring with 32 wins and one draw in his 33 fights.
Hearn, however, doubts Fury's words and believes that he will face the winner of Usyk and Joshua. Speaking on the WBC giving Tyson Fury time to decide if he's vacating, Hearn said: "I don't know why he needs time, he's retired. But no, look, we all know he's not retiring, he won't vacate and I hope he faces the winner of Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua II."
Hearn and Fury have not had the best relationship after the former chose not to sign the Gypsy King before his comeback. Fury would go on to sign for Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, with whom he fought Deontay Wilder three times before defeating Whyte in what could be his last ever bout.
