Boxing and YouTube sensation Jake Paul has posted a respectful retirement message to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Paul, who has endured a fraught relationship with the Fury family, following two cancelled bouts with Tyson’s younger brother, Tommy, branded the elder Fury a “smart man”.
In a now-deleted Twitter message, Paul responded to Fury’s birthday retirement announcement with:
“Smart man. Get out with all your marbles. Happy birthday and happy retirement to one of the greatest ever.”
Undefeated WBC champion Fury had been negotiating a title defence against fellow Britain Derek Chisora, his first fight since beating Dillian Whyte at Wembley stadium in April.
However, on the eve of his 34th birthday, as negotiations with Chisora seemingly fell through, Fury suggestively reshared a video of Amir Khan on Instagram, one in which the Bolton fighter was explaining the reasons behind his recent retirement.
The next day, Fury then confirmed his own desire to retire with an official statement:
“Massive thanks to everyone who had an input in my career over the years and after long hard conversations I’ve finally decided to walk away and on my 34th birthday I say bon voyage.”
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Whether Fury’s retirement will sustain, or whether he can be tempted to return for one final undisputed unification fight against either Anthony Joshua or Oleksandr Usyk, only time will tell.
Meanwhile, Jake Paul remains on the hunt for yet another opponent after his recently proposed fight with Hasim Rahman Jr. fell through, due, this time, to the latter alleged failing to meet the pre-stipulated weight agreement.