TYSON FURY could be tempted out of retirement for a “generation” showdown with Anthony Joshua, according to his promoter Frank Warren.
The Gypsy King retired for the fourth time in January following his second defeat to Olesksandr Usyk.
Fury’s camp insisted this was for good and that he was content with closing the book on his fighting career.
And that seemed to kill boxing fans’ hopes of seeing a long-awaited Battle of Britain between Fury and Joshua.
However, Warren opened the door for another Fury comeback.
And the Queensberry Promotions chief suggested Fury may lace up his gloves once again so the two former heavyweight world champions could finally step into the ring and settle their score.
Warren told Sky Sports: “He’s with his family, enjoying life.
“I haven’t spoken to him about returning to boxing and I wouldn’t.
“If he does decide to, then I’ll support him. If he doesn’t, then I’ll support that.
“He’s been a magnificent servant to boxing, two-time world champion, he’s very well off, set up for life, doesn’t need to box.
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“But the thing with Tyson is he is a fighting man so you never know what will happen.
“[Fighting Joshua] would tempt all of us to get him to do it.
“That’s the fight everybody wants to see, a generational fight.
“I know AJ wants it, Tyson at one stage did want it and we were close but it didn’t happen. You never know what can happen in boxing.”
Boxing fans were denied the chance to see Fury vs Joshua while they were world champions at the peak of their powers.
A 2020 bout with all four belts on the line was scrapped by a US judge ruling Fury had to face Deontay Wilder for a third time instead.
Joshua fought Usyk instead and had his IBF, WBO and WBA belts snatched away – before the Ukrainian grabbed the WBC title from Fury last May.
There was then hope of the two British icons dusting it up in 2025 – until AJ’s shock loss to Daniel Dubois wrecked those plans and a mega pay day for both men.
Usyk then beat Fury for a second time – prompting the Manchester man to quit the sport – and will take on Dubois on July 19.
Dubois hopes to get revenge for a ninth-round stoppage in 2023 and victory would see him crowned undisputed world champ.
As for Fury and AJ, while there would be no belts to fight for, there would be plenty of bragging rights between two of the biggest stars in the sport of the 21st Century should they finally agree a deal.
The Warren comments came less than 24 hours after Fury himself teased a return.
Responding to comments where Usyk suggested he could fight Fury in a trilogy bout after his date with Dubois because “he’s not retired”, the 34-2-1 Gypsy King implied he would be ready to rumble with his conqueror again.
He replied on social media: “Beat the f***er 2 times the world knows the truth.
“Any time, any place. sucher (sic) UK next time 100k people.”
Fury also sparked speculation that he is set to perform a retirement U-turn by linking up with trainer SugarHill Steward on Monday.