Ricky Hatton raises Tyson Fury retirement alarm ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight - 'I worry'

Ricky Hatton raises Tyson Fury retirement alarm ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight - 'I worry'

WATCH NOW: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk discuss upcoming fight

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 29/01/2024

- 09:53

Updated: 29/01/2024

- 11:26

The Gypsy King will be hopeful of winning their upcoming bout in Saudi Arabia

Former boxing star Ricky Hatton has admitted he fears for Tyson Fury once the 35-year-old retires from the sport.

The Gypsy King is currently focused on his upcoming showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, with the pair set to lock horns in Saudi Arabia on February 17.


It is unclear what will happen with Fury after the fight, however, with his long-term participation shrouded in uncertainty.

Though he's denied he's considered retirement, the Briton is entering the twilight years of his career.

Boxing news Tyson Fury Ricky Hatton

Boxing news: Ricky Hatton fears for Tyson Fury once the Gypsy King retires from boxing

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Having already achieved so much, it's not unfeasible that victory over Usyk will see Fury walk away from the sport.

And Hatton, speaking to Instant Casino, has admitted he fears for the Gypsy King once he retires - admitting he worries about his close friend.

“It's well documented what happened to me, I didn't want to retire and it was very, very hard," he said.

“I worry for people like Kell Brook and Tyson Fury because I consider them my mates, but you have to start thinking about what you are going to do after boxing.

“If Kell’s not happy and he needs to box again in order to make him happy, sooner or later the clock ticks down and we can't go back to boxing anymore.

"We're too old. I certainly reached that stage.

“I did my exhibition bout and it was brilliant, but then you have to find another road.

"I often listen to Tyson Fury interviews and I watched his Netflix series, which was brilliant, but I think what is he going to do when he's not boxing?”

Hatton also gave advice to both Fury and Kell Brook, adding: “Since I came out the other end of the tunnel after I had a mini breakdown I found happiness.

“You've got to find other adventures; keep up with your training, hit the punch bag and it will make you feel better about yourself.

"But you have to realise the fighting won't last forever, we don't want to admit it, we wish it would go on forever.

“I did my exhibition, then the Sky documentary, and I've just come off Dancing on Ice.

"Channel your time and set yourself a new goal because I wanted to box forever and it sent me loopy when it was time to retire.

“And I worry about Kell and Tyson, so they've got to find something else. Kell is fit enough to do an exhibition but my advice to Kell is: those exhibitions don't last forever and when boxing's gone something has to fill the void.”

Fury, meanwhile, said back in October that he loves boxing too much to pack it in right now.

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Boxing news: Ricky Hatton has admitted he found his own retirement difficult in a warning to Tyson Fury

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And the Briton also revealed he was hoping for many more fight nights ahead, too.

"I'm looking to sign another ten-fight deal after this," he said.

"I'm going to put my feelers out there and see who I can get the best deal off for another ten fights.

"What else is there? I retire, plenty of money, plenty of achievement, whatever.

"35 [years old]. What am I going to do?...

Boxing news Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will meet in Saudi Arabia on February 17

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"This makes me f***ing happy, fighting. This is all I've ever done and all that's ever made me happy.

"So it'd be stupid now to walk away from it when I'm making millions of dollars and getting loads of joy from it as well."

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