Saudi boxing chief wants ‘more big fights’ for Tyson Fury despite retirement

Saudi Arabian boxing chief Turki Alalshikh has suggested he will try and talk Tyson Fury out of his latest retirement, but already has contingency plans for Anthony Joshua if a bout between the pair cannot be arranged.

Alalshikh, a member of the Saudi royal court and a major powerbroker behind the kingdom’s move into the sport, said he would give Fury some time but does not appear convinced that his decision to walk away is final.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Alalshikh said: “As a fan of boxing, I don’t like it. We want to see Tyson in more big fights, but I can understand his decision.

“But over time this decision can change. I will support him and discuss it with him. I will leave him for some time to be with his family, then we can discuss it.”

Alalshikh, though, shot down the more outrageous claims about a possible purse and has already considered American Deontay Wilder as an alternative for Joshua.

“A lot of rumours don’t help us. No-one will propose £500million for a fight, these numbers are incorrect,” he said.

“And if Tyson is not available why not Joshua and Wilder? If you want something about the British markets, I want to see Joshua and Wilder now.”