Simon Jordan was unimpressed by Tyson Fury’s decision to retire, with Adam Smith jumping to defend the heavyweight’s elite status.

Fury yesterday announced that he is now retired from the sport, after back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury stunned the world by retiring from the sportCredit: Getty

It was a huge surprise given the looming possibility of a commercial blockbuster two-fight deal with bitter rival Anthony Joshua in 2025.

Naturally many have questioned if Fury’s decision is authentic, given he suggested he was retired after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022 but went to fight on.

talkSPORT host Simon Jordan led the claims, insisting that it could well be a tactical ploy as the current landscape of heavyweight boxing rolls on.

“It’s nonsense, Tyson Fury is courting attention, it is all about Tyson Fury,” Jordan said on talkSPORT’s White & Jordan.

“Why is this announcement being made on January 13, the day they are announcing this huge fight card [Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol 2]?

“What is the agenda behind it? So go away then, just come back when you want to.

“But I won’t sit there in tears saying oh I miss Tyson Fury or ‘it’s terrible for boxing’, I won’t play his game.

“Fantastic Tyson you have made a lot of money from the sport, but if you want to retire, do it. If you don’t, then don’t.

“Who cares? Bye then. Does the boxing world stop because Tyson Fury isn’t fighting in the heavyweight decision.

“The next generation will come through. Daniel Dubois is here, Moses Itauma is here.

Jordan had his say on Fury’s decision to retire

“Fury was full of charisma and style, but I think the last couple of years he’s been a different character.

“Has he been a spectacle to watch? Yes. Has he changed the sport with some of his performances against Deontay Wilder notably? Yes.”

It has been a hot topic as to whether Fury will return, with Joshua having declared his intentions to face the ‘Gypsy King’ in 2025.

Despite losing to Usyk twice consecutively, he is still viewed as a major player in the blue-riband division and could easily return to the world title mix if he was to come back and beat Joshua.

It was the first two defeats on his professional resume, which contains victories over Wladimir Klitschko and three against Deontay Wilder.

In a dispute over the Gypsy King’s future, iconic boxing broadcaster Adam Smith and talkSPORT host White argued whether Fury is still an elite in the division.

Fury will still carry a huge legacy in heavyweight boxingCredit: Getty

Smith began: I understand why people are say it is two losers [if he fights Joshua], but I would still like to see it.

“I believe the casuals still would get involved and I’d like to see Martin Bakole get a title shot but he isn’t known to them yet.”

White interjected: “You just nailed it there [on a fight with Joshua], Tyson Fury is now coming off the back of two defeats there.

“That wasn’t the case back in 2022 when he was talking to us.”

Smith snapped back: “Oh, Jim, come on, 24 rounds with Oleksandr Usyk who is one of the best to have ever laced up the gloves.

“He beat Anthony Joshua twice and cleaned up at cruiserweight. No disgrace at all there.

White argued: “Yeah but before Tyson held all the belts, now he doesn’t.”

Smith concluded: “Tyson Fury is still an elite fighter who can fight Anthony Joshua a couple of times this year.

“He can ride off into the sunset, and more than anything they can entertain themselves in the build-up.”

Fury’s name continues to divide opinion and it still doesn’t seem clear exactly what 2025 will hold in store for the British boxing icon.