Anthony Joshua has finally had his say on Tyson Fury’s retirement from boxing.
The British heavyweight looked set for a big 2025 after losing to Daniel Dubois, urging Fury to finally settle their rivalry.
But the ‘Gypsy King’ announced that he would retire from the sport after suffering a second consecutive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
It was a stunning decision that now leaves Joshua out in the cold, and he will now be looking for alternative options to return later this year.
Many have questioned the nature of Fury’s retirement, given he previously retired in 2022 after losing to Dillian Whyte, but proceeded to return.
Joshua has now issued his first reaction to the news, insisting he believes his bitter rival is now currently retired.
He told iFL TV: “Yeah, he has, he’s announced it so yeah he has.
Has he retired with a possibility of coming back? Yes. Has he retired?
“Yes. Is he going to fight next month, no? In short, he might come back but he is retired.”
He then added on his future: “More fights, this is my life, this is what I do.
“Right now I sit outside and I watch and then I’ll make my return one day.
“Right right I sit back as a fan and watch the great people in the sport I love.”
Fury has yet to entertain any talks over his fighting future, insisting he is done with the sport for now.
Despite his retirement, the 36-year-old is still widely viewed as the second best heavyweight in the division.
He still performed well against a gifted champion in Usyk, and could be a favourite to beat Joshua if the pair meet.
Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh still believes the fight can happen, and is intending to reach out to Fury for talks soon.
Fury has miles on the clock, and is understood to have retired to spend more time with his family.
His coach Andy Lee has also suggested the former world champion is simply ‘done’ with the sport.
He said: “As bad as it sounds I don’t care about Fury fighting Joshua, and it depends what the figure is.
“I think he’s quite happy now, it has to motivate him to come out of retirement.
“They are both great fighters, but if they were to fight, obviously I’d be backing him and think he’d win.
“Just the odd message we have had here and there, but he sounds very happy.
“And he said ‘Andy I’m not f****d, I couldn’t be f****d with it. He seems very happy, simple as that.
“He was up in Scotland, going here there and all over the place, but he seems very happy.”
