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Frank Warren says Tyson Fury seems “very happy” and has emphasised his belief that the former world heavyweight champion should stay retired.
Fury announced he was hanging up his gloves via a video message on Instagram last month, just over three weeks after being beaten for a second time by Oleksandr Usyk.
The 36-year-old Briton, who has previously made a U-turn after declaring his career had reached an end, sat alongside his promoter Warren at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena on Saturday when Derek Chisora beat Otto Wallin.
And when asked how Fury seemed in terms of his retirement, Warren told the PA news agency: “Very happy. In a good place, spending time with his family, quality time.
“He’s had a tough time the last 12 months in preparing for fights, not seeing his family, and he’s spending quality time with them.
“He’s got plenty of money, he’s comfortable, he doesn’t need to fight for money. He’s made a decision, and he’s got some real good projects which he’ll be announcing soon outside of boxing.
“I’m delighted, I’m delighted for him. Take his time – he doesn’t need to be doing anything.
“He was one of the best two heavyweights of the 21st century. He went to two fighters’ backyards – an adopted backyard of (Wladimir) Klitschko in Germany and won the world title, went to the States and fought the same guy (Deontay Wilder) three times and did a job on him, an absolute job in unbelievably exciting fights.
“But more importantly he beat his demons, when he was boozing, when he was doing things he shouldn’t have been doing, suicidal, that much away from doing things, and overcame that.
“So he needs to go and enjoy his life, which is what he’s doing. He’s paid his dues, and this is the toughest of all sports, so go and enjoy yourself.”
On the possibility of there still being more Fury fights to come, Warren said: “I would not even encourage him or discuss it with him. Whatever he wants to do, he does.
“If he did want to fight again, that’s because he’s a fighting man, he’s got a fighting heart. Me? Retire, enjoy life.
“I’m happy if he’s happy – and he should stay retired.”
Warren was speaking at the arena on Monday as it was announced that Dillian Whyte will be facing fellow Briton Joe Joyce there on April 5.
Whyte returned to the ring last year after failing a drugs test in 2023, then being cleared to resume his career with it being found he had consumed a contaminated supplement.
Regarding the upcoming fight, Whyte told a press conference: “It’s going to be going off. I’ve been waiting for my opportunity. Last year’s been rough, it’s here and I’m ready to take it with both hands.
“Joe Joyce says he’s going to knock me out. We’ll see. Joe Joyce is very good at putting people to sleep, but not by knocking them out – because he’s so f****** boring. He’s the only man I know who can put coffee to sleep. A great fighter but a boring guy.
“Joe’s a nice guy. You can’t hate Joe. I’ve got nothing personal with him. But we’re here to fight.”
Another heavyweight bout on the card – the first for Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in partnership with DAZN – will see Lawrence Okolie take on Richard Riakporhe, while Olympian Delicious Orie will make his professional debut.
