Rob Tebbutt 'fully expects' Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua to lock horns despite Gypsy King's retirement reiteration

Despite Tyson Fury reiterating his plans to stay in boxing retirement over the weekend, bet365's resident boxing expert Rob Tebbutt believes the Gypsy King will still reverse his decision and agree to a money-spinning showdown with Anthony Joshua.

The two-time heavyweight world champion posted a video across his social media channels on Saturday, seemingly ending speculation regarding a long-mooted clash with domestic foe, Joshua.

Talk has ramped up over the past few weeks that a showdown could finally be in the offing, with Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn suggesting an agreement between the two parties could be reached in an instant, whilst Fury's manager Spencer Brown hinted at a return for his fighter, saying 'fans will know what's next soon enough'.

However, despite that, the Gypsy King appeared to quell those rumours, posting a video from a plush yacht in Italy, questioning the logic in making a return to boxing.

He said: “I hear a lot of talk of “The Gypsy King” returning to boxing and I ask the question of this one: for what? What would I return for?

More boxing belts? Won 22 of them. I’ve been rumped, they’ve had their use for me. But I’m happy, contented with what I’ve done, what I’ve achieved, what I’ve accomplished.

- Tyson Fury (Social Media)

"I’ve been around the world and back again and here we are, this is what retirement looks like for the Gypsy King. Not too shabby. I’m in no rush at all to go back to boxing and get my face punched in, for what? What would I return for?

"So here we are, I’m retired and I’m staying retired. I’ve got nothing to prove to anybody and nothing to return for. God bless you all and see you on the other side."

Despite his stance however, many names in the sport, including our own boxing insider Rob Tebbutt, believe the Morecambe man is bluffing.

"Look, we've all grown to understand that Tyson is accustomed to saying one thing one day and a totally different thing the next," he told bet365's Sports & Betting News site.

I fully expect Tyson to one day return to the ring and I also expect Anthony Joshua to be the man stood in the opposite corner!

- Rob Tebbutt (bet365 Sports & Betting News)

"Unfortunately, it seems as though we may have to wait a little while for Tyson to decide that he is ready, and as we have seen in the past, that won't be until he has enjoyed his fair share of social media games.

"With the money and pride that is on the table for him to face Anthony Joshua, I am utterly convinced that we will see him return to the ring to take on AJ at some point this year."

Joshua himself hasn't stepped foot inside the ring since his devastating stoppage defeat at the hands of Daniel Dubois last year, with his return delayed on the back of undergoing surgery on a troublesome elbow issue.

The Matchroom star is expected to ramp up plans for fight number 33 in the coming weeks, with Fury just one of a number of names being considered by AJ's promoter Eddie Hearn.