Joseph Parker has told Tyson Fury to continue boxing and become undisputed champion despite confirming the champion is serious about retirement.
Fury defeated Dillian Whyte after landing a well-timed uppercut to record a sixth-round stoppage at Wembley Stadium. He announced his intention to retire in the ring after the win, despite the looming prospect of an undisputed title bout against the winner of Anthony Joshua's rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Parker admitted he spoke to Fury about retirement before his clash with Whyte and he insisted that retirement was his plan irrespective of any future fights. "I think we have to take him seriously," Parker said. "We had a talk about it again yesterday. I said 'are you going to retire after the fight yesterday? And he goes 'hand on my heart I am going to retire'.
"But no I don't think he should retire, I think he should carry on because he is at the top of his game and no-one can beat him. There are still other bouts out there including the bout so he can become undisputed champion and have all the belts at once. It looks like a mismatch if he faces Joshua on form of late, but AJ still has big things he can do with boxing."
Parker worked with Fury throughout his camp for his fight with Whyte and has also sparred the 'Gypsy King' on several occasions to prepare him for the test. The 33-year-old remains undefeated and is arguably in the prime years of his career despite claiming he will no longer compete in the ring.
Fury claimed he would backtrack on his retirement plans if UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is able to step in the ring with the champion in an exhibition-style contest. However he has admitted he is happy with his achievements in boxing, and will be able to step away as the second man in history to retire undefeated as a heavyweight champion.
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"This is the truth, the gospel truth, nothing but the truth - I'm done," Fury said. "Every good dog has its day and like the great Roman leader said, there will always be somebody else to fight. When is enough enough?
"I'm happy, I'm healthy, I've still got my brains and I can still talk. I've got a beautiful wife, six kids, I've got umpteen belts, plenty of money, success, fame, glory - what more am I doing it for? Boxing is a very dangerous sport.
"You can be taken out with one punch as we've seen on Saturday and it's one unlucky blow and you may not get up off that canvas. I'm quitting while I'm ahead, I'm undefeated and only the second man in history to retire as undefeated heavyweight champion. I'm very, very happy, very content in my heart with what I've done and what I've achieved."
