Fury’s decision to retire denies fans the chance to see a long-anticipated clash with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.
On Saturday, Joshua said a fight with Fury “has to happen this year” when speaking at the Ring Magazine awards.
Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has however questioned the legitimacy of Fury’s announcement, claiming that if he was “looking for the right deal” he would also go into retirement.
“If you haven’t got a heart for it anymore and you don’t want to compete anymore I think retirement is the best option,” Hearn said, external.
“Disappointing obviously for British fight fans because we’ve got the chance to make the biggest fight in boxing but if that’s the last we see of him, he’s had a great career – I doubt it [is the last time we will see him box].
“It’s always best to come into retirement to make sure that someone has to pay you to come out of retirement, but if that’s his lot then much respect to him and I wish him all the best.”
Fury boasted an undefeated record of 34 wins and one draw until he met Ukraine’s Usyk in the first heavyweight undisputed contest of the four-belt era.
Usyk won the first meeting by split-decision and backed up that performance with a unanimous decision victory last month.
Frank Warren, who promotes Fury, told BBC Radio 5 Live he had not spoken to Fury prior to his retirement announcement.
“I’ve said all along that there is no way I will be trying to in anyway influence him,” Warren said.
“If that what he wants to do, that’s great. He’s done everything he can do. Probably been the best British heavyweight of his generation by far. Two-time world champion, two closely fought fights against Usyk. He’s got plenty of money, got his wits about him, got a lovely family. God bless him, enjoy.
“He’s become a world star. If you look at some of the fights he’s had, he’s not been in one fight that hasn’t been exciting. Very, very exciting fights. Big heart, got off the floor when he’s been knocked down by big punches and come back to win fights. He’s been something special.”
