Fury ‘won’t retire’ and may take UFC crossover bout

Tyson Fury’s promoter Bob Arum says the world heavyweight champion “definitely won’t retire” following Saturday’s stunning stoppage victory against Dillian Whyte, with the American also stating a crossover bout with UFC champion Francis Ngannou “should be easy to make”.

Fury, 33, triumphed in superb fashion at Wembley, knocking out Whyte with a thunderous uppercut in the sixth round.

Afterwards, Fury reiterated his desire to call time on his career.

However, Arum, who promotes Fury in the US, told American outlet USA Today Sports: “No, he definitely won’t retire. Of course not. Are you crazy?”

Arum said he plans to meet Fury for dinner in Las Vegas within the next two weeks.

“We’ll have plenty of time to talk everything out,” Arum added. The veteran promoter’s comments will surely reignite hopes of an undisputed bout between Fury and the winner of the rematch between WBA, WBO and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk and former champion Anthony Joshua.

The pair are expected to meet in July, with Saudi Arabia considered favourite to host.

Meanwhile, Fury said in the after his victory on Saturday that he would target lucrative exhibition bouts going forward, or a return to the WWE.

On Saturday, he welcomed into the ring UFC star Ngannou to tease a crossover fight with the Cameroonian “either in a cage, in a boxing ring, boxing gloves, UFC gloves”. “We can make it happen,” Fury added.

Ngannou said as he stood alongside Fury: “I’m going to find out who is the baddest [man] on the planet.”

On that possible fight, Arum said: “Obviously it’d be a massive fight, and it should be easy to make.”