I CAN’T RETURN, I COULD NEVER TOPPLE AJ
Bellew reveals why he will stay retired after making millions
TONY BELLEW insists he will never make a comeback because he could not beat Anthony Joshua.
Bellew retired in 2018, having made a fortune to set him and his family up for life.
The former WBC cruiserweight king says he has received lucrative offers to return to the ring, and believes he is still good enough at 38 to win another world title.
But he is adamant he will never fight again because he could not be the best. “I wouldn’t say I’m happy to be out of it, I miss fighting every single day,” said Bellew. “I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t. But I’m not coming back. I’ve thought about it on numerous occasions and I get offers.
“I do believe there are guys out there who I could beat, who are active fighters, some of them are world champions.
“But there’s no point coming back because I couldn’t be the best – and that’s the driving force.
“It’s no longer about money and financial security because I have that. But I couldn’t be the best heavyweight in while Anthony breathing air.”
Bellew is financially secure because of the millions he made from his two fights with David Haye in 2017 and 2018.
He claims his purse for their first contest was four times as much as what he earned from all his the world Joshua is previous fights. Bellew knew when he beat Ilunga Makubu to become WBC champion that only Haye could give him the payday he craved.
“Nothing compares to May 29, 2016, when I beat Illunga Makubu at Goodison Park to become world champion,” said the Liverpudlian.
“My sole goal then was to fight David Haye and the money I got for the first fight was my career combined four times over.
“I was so far away from financial security when I became world champion, it was unbelievable. I achieved all my goals and dreams at Goodison Park and I could have retired, but I didn’t because I had money to chase.
“It worked out in the end. I’m just happy I was able to draw a line under it and walk away with my faculties intact.”
Bellew was speaking to promote his new book, which is part autobiography and part self-help.
EDDIE HEARN claims Anthony Joshua’s £200million superfight with Tyson Fury is a done deal and will take place on August 14 in Saudi Arabia.
Although there is still no official confirmation, Joshua’s promoter insists: “The Saudis want to build a new stadium,
“They want to create something very, very special.”