The former heavyweight world champion announced on Monday (13.01.25) that he was bringing his career to an end but the promoter doubts if it is true as The Gypsy King has previously announced his intention to quit before returning to the ring.

Hearn told BBC Sport: "We've been here before. If that is the end, congratulations on a great career.

"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."

The Matchroom boss is desperate to make a fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua but would prefer not to do it if the former has no desire for the bout.

Hearn said: "You do not want to get in the ring with Anthony Joshua if you're doing it for money.

"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.

"Fury doesn't want the fight, there's nothing you can do. You can't drag him into the fight. I don't know whether this was a move to stop the flow of pressure because with AJ calling him out, pressure is mounting. It could be the start of a great build-up, great mind games or it could be the end of Tyson Fury's career.

"What lays in the palm of his hand is the biggest fight in the history of our country. Will he walk away from that? Maybe."