Tony Bellew hung up the gloves in 2018 after eleven years in the professional ranks.
In that time, he won the British and Commonwealth Light-heavyweight titles, the European Cruiserweight belt and the WBC Cruiserweight World title.
A bitter domestic rivalry with David Haye playing out over two fights followed by an unsuccessful challenge against undisputed 200lbs king Oleksandr Usyk provided a thrilling end to a good career.
Other than some potential exhibition or crossover bouts, Bellew has stayed comfortable in retirement, but has revealed to Matchroom Boxing that recent talk of a comeback went as far as getting back in the gym with trainer Dave Coldwell.
“I went back and done a couple of weeks with Dave in the gym – just to see what was left and what was there. There was still bits there, and we were working really hard for a couple of weeks. But that fell through because Lukasz Rozanski’s arse fell out.”
The controversial young division has a weight range of 200 and 224lbs. Rozanski picked up the vacant belt by beating Alen Babic in one round.
Bellew said he saw nothing in the Polish fighter that showed he could last more than four rounds with him, and appeared serious about the return.
In the time since, it has emerged that the champion has a lucrative offer to face Badou Jack, who recently vacated his cruiserweight belt. With that, Bellew has seemed to settle back into the pundit’s chair.