Tyson told to hang up his gloves now
RICKY Hatton has advised Tyson Fury to forget about a potential bout with Anthony Joshua and to hang up his gloves immediately.
Fury’s hopes of a unification bout against AJ were shattered after his fellow Brit suffered defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, with a rematch of that bout set to take place in the spring.
That has left WBC heavyweight champion Fury treading water as he waits to see the heavyweight division settle, with the governing body expected to order him to defend his belt against Dillian Whyte.
Victory against Whyte would leave the door open for a unification bout against either Joshua or Usyk next summer, which would be a fitting end to Fury’s stellar career. However, his close friend Hatton believes he should consider retiring immediately as he cannot wait for another two years for a dream fight to materialise.
“Tyson’s proved himself. He’s had that trilogy with Wilder, he beat (Wladamir) Klitschko. Tyson’s not like AJ. He’s suffered from depression, drinks and drugs, and all he now wants is the defining fights and to get out the game,” he said.
“Let’s have it right – if Tyson wants to retire he’s got nothing more to prove.
“The only thing that Tyson wants to know in his own mind, just like AJ does, is who the best out of he and AJ is. But Tyson can’t wait another two years while he fights him and he fights him, he’ll want to be in and out now.
“He deserves it as well. I’m sure his wife, Paris, doesn’t want to see him stood there getting knocked on his arse every five minutes. “Tyson’s done his job now as far as I’m concerned. It’s a shame if the AJ fight doesn’t happen, and if it does it has to happen quickly, because Tyson’s ready for hanging up his gloves now.
“As his friend, I want him to hang them up – he’s got nothing left to prove.”
A decision from the WBC regarding Fury vs Whyte is expected imminently, with Joe Joyce a potential opponent if Whyte is ordered to reschedule his fight against Otto Wallin.
Let’s have it right, if Tyson wants to retire he has nothing more to prove
Ricky Hatton