Tony Bellew considering his options after becoming world heavyweight champion

GiveMeSport

scores

By Sam Mudge

Published Mar 29, 2017

His next fight is being organised, but there could still be a massive change of heart

World heavyweight champion Tony Bellew has been contemplating retirement but plans to take a break from boxing before making any decision.

The 34-year-old Liverpudlian’s comments came during an interview with boxingnewsonline.net.

Bellew told them that his promoter Eddie Hearn was currently in negotiations with WBO champion Joseph Parker and WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

World champion Bellew goes on to say: “We’re already negotiating with those guys [Wilder and Parker], but to be totally honest I haven’t made a decision yet.

"Eddie is covering all bases but I haven’t made a firm decision.

“I’m going to take a little break, I’m going to come away from social media, I’m going to come away from everything for a fortnight as of Thursday. I’m going to forget about the world and enjoy time with my kids, my missus and I’m just going to reflect on what I’ve done and it hasn’t really sunk in yet.

“As of right now, I don’t know if I’m going to fight again. It’s an if, not a when.”

Any potential fights against New Zealander Parker will have to come following his bout with Hughie Fury, scheduled for May 6 in Auckland.

Whilst Wilder does not have a fight scheduled.

Before any potential fight, however, the 34-year-old has to overcome a hand injury suffered during his championship bout with David Haye. Bellew fractured his hand early in the fight and is now waiting to see if it will require surgery.

The world heavyweight champion said of his injury: “I’ve got a fracture, so it’s a break but the correct term is fracture,

“I’ve got to wait and see if it calcifies on its own. If it doesn’t, then I need an operation.

“If it does, I’ve got another two months of healing before I can punch. So if I need an operation it’s five months [recovery].

“If I don’t need one then it’s two months before I can start tapping again. Either way, I’ve got a couple of months before I start punching people in the face again.”