Eddie Hearn delivers clear verdict on potential Tyson Fury retirement after Oleksandr Usyk defeat
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Eddie Hearn has insisted Tyson Fury shouldn't retire just yet, despite the Briton losing to Oleksandr Usyk in their blockbuster rematch on Saturday night.
Fury had gone into the contest at the Kingdom Arena hoping to avenge his defeat from earlier in the year.
Yet the 36-year-old was ultimately beaten in Riyadh, with Usyk winning via unanimous extension to make it 23 victories from as many professional bouts.
Fury was impressive at times, even if he did seem to tire in the closing stages of the showdown.
Boxing news: Eddie Hearn has insisted Tyson Fury shouldn't retire just yet, despite the Briton losing to Oleksandr Usyk in their blockbuster rematch on Saturday night
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With two professional defeats under his belt, some have started to dismiss Fury as a faded force following a glittering career.
Yet Hearn, speaking to DAZN, has insisted that isn't the case and that Fury is more than capable of staying around at the top.
The boxing promoter, who works for Matchroom, said: "That was not a Tyson Fury who was finished or past his best.
"That wasn't a flat performance. It wasn't a poor performance.
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"He didn't look gun shy, he didn't look like his punch resistance had dropped or was in question.
"I think Tyson is still at the peak of his powers. He just was not able to beat Oleksandr Usyk on the night. It doesn't mean he is done.
"Fury will struggle with this defeat. All fighters do. AJ suffered the same after the Dubois defeat.
"You get beat, it hurts, this will hurt for a long time. He will be frustrated so much by this, having put so much into this to try and beat Usyk. He did everything right and still could not win.
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"It is frustrating for a fighter of his quality."
Hearn also feels now is the time for Fury to face Anthony Joshua.
Talk of a potential clash between the two Britons has rumbled on for a number of years, only for no agreement to ever be found.
But Hearn says it's finally the right moment for both men to face off and deliver what many fans are determined to see happen.
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Boxing news: Eddie Hearn would love to see Tyson Fury fight Anthony Joshua
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"There is only one fight for Tyson Fury now and that is Anthony Joshua," he continued.
"That would be the biggest fight in British boxing history. Everyone wants to see it.
"Fury versus Joshua is the one now, it has to be the one.
"At Wembley, sold out crowd, and then it is out here again for Riyadh Season."
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Joshua has also lost to Usyk in the past and would go into any potential fight with Fury on the back of a defeat to Daniel Dubois.
Dubois wants a rematch with Usyk and the 37-year-old said he was open to facing the Briton for a second time in the future following his win on Saturday night.
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