Fury’s decision to retire denies fans the chance to see a long-anticipated clash with fellow Briton Anthony Joshua.

On Saturday, Joshua said a fight with Fury “has to happen this year” when speaking at the Ring Magazine awards.

Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who promotes Joshua, has however questioned the legitimacy of Fury’s announcement.

“We’ve been here before. If that is the end, congratulations on a great career,” Hearn told BBC Sport.

“One of the best heavyweights of this generation and made a bucket load of money. If your hearts not in it, if the fight has been punched out of you, it’s definitely time to call it quits.

“A few people will always suggest that he could be calling a bluff, but I don’t know him well enough to give you an answer. If you don’t want it anymore, if your hearts not in it anymore, if you’ve had the fight punched out of you – it’s a dangerous game.”

Joshua and Fury have been leading figures in the heavyweight division over the past decade but both are looking to bounce back from losses.

Joshua suffered the fourth defeat of his career against IBF heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois in September, while Fury’s last two trips to the ring have ended in losses against Usyk.

“You do not want to get in the ring with Anthony Joshua if you’re doing it for money,” Hearn added.

“You’ve got to want it. You’ve got to want to provide the British public with the biggest fight in the history of the sport. You’ve got to want to go to war with AJ and get that victory. If it’s just a money thing, you’ve got enough money.

“I’m always an optimist. For me when that fight with AJ is a fight that can be made in two minutes in a room, I am always hopeful. But Tyson Fury’s earned the right to make his own decisions. If he’s done, he’s done. If not, then we make the biggest fight in the history of the sport. Only time will tell.