‘He’d jump at it’ – Ricky Hatton reveals what it would take for Tyson Fury to accept Anthony Joshua fight
Ricky Hatton knows what it would take to get Tyson Fury in the ring for a mega-fight with Anthony Joshua.
However, the British boxing legend would rather see Fury stay retired, claiming ‘The Gypsy King’ has already ‘done enough’ in his beloved sport.
Tyson Fury announced his retirement from boxing in January following consecutive defeats to undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
The Briton said he had ‘loved every minute’ of his stellar career in a ‘short and sweet’ social media statement.
The 36-year-old Mancunian had been heavily linked to a two-fight deal with Joshua in 2025, but dashed boxing fans’ hopes of a blockbuster encounter with ‘AJ’ after his announcement.
Hatton, a former light-welterweight world champion, asserted the ‘right money’ would leave him with no choice but to fight Joshua.
“Tyson’s retired before,” he told Sky Sports. “It just so happens they were trying to make the Joshua fight.
“They were trying to make it for 10 years and it looks like they’re still not going to make it now Tyson’s retired.
“But I would take that retirement with a pinch of salt knowing Tyson. If he gets offered the right money, the right purse for the AJ fight, knowing Tyson as I do, I think he’d jump at it.”
The 46-year-old then asserted that fighting Joshua is the right thing to do for Fury, but still believes the ex-heavyweight champion should stay out of the sport altogether and his legacy wouldn’t take a hit.
“I think Tyson will kick himself if he’s sat on his sofa 10 years down the line and thinks to himself: ‘I wonder what would have happened if I’d have fought AJ?” Hatton added.
“He’s in a position to do something about now rather than be cursing himself for the rest of his life.
“I’d like to see him retire. I think he’s done enough. I would like to see the AJ fight but I think he’s done enough.”
Hatton played a pivotal role in getting Fury back into the squared circle when the Brit returned to boxing three years after his remarkable victory over Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
Fury defeated Sefer Seferi and Francesco Pianeta upon his return in 2018 before beginning his trilogy with Deontay Wilder and claiming the WBC heavyweight title.
“Let’s have it right, a few years ago when he was 26 stone, we never thought he’d fight again,” Hatton concluded.
“He nearly wasn’t here for all the problems that he had. So for him to do what he’s done, he’s done us all proud and I’d like to see him retire now.
“His fights against Usyk were I think a lot closer than AJ’s fights with Usyk. Daniel Dubois obviously got beat by Usyk and there was a bit of controversy in that one.
“I think Usyk won both the fights against Tyson but I can see why other people thought Tyson might have won them. Because they were that close.
“Tyson, he’s still got plenty in the tank as far as I’m concerned. He’s pushed Usyk furthest out of anyone else.
“Look what he’s done and what he’s achieved. He’s had that trilogy with Deontay Wilder which was an absolutely sensational three-fight battle.
“He’s come back when no one thought he could and became heavyweight champion of the world. He’s got nothing left to prove.”
Despite Fury declaring he is no longer an active boxer, a whole host of big fights could still await him if he chooses to make another comeback.
An alternative option to Joshua for Fury could be a WBC interim title shot against current holder Agit Kabayel after the governing body’s president Mauricio Sulaiman admitted his organisation would be open to sanctioning the bout.
