Tyson Fury urges Deontay Wilder to retire despite comeback win

Tyson Fury has pleaded with long-time rival Deontay Wilder to hang up the gloves despite winning on his boxing comeback last week.

The 'Bronze Bomber' scored an impressive win on Friday night, defeating Tyrrell Herndon with a seventh-round knockout. This win against the heavyweight journeyman followed consecutive losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang. With Wilder set to turn 40 in October, many believe that the boxing veteran is a shadow of his former self - and has not been the same since his three wars with Fury.

After Wilder's loss to Zhang, calls for his retirement grew louder among fans. Yet, his latest win suggests he might still have fight left in him. Nevertheless, Fury, who is also plotting his own boxing return, has expressed a different view, reports All Out Fighting.

Speaking to journalists in Istanbul, the 'Gypsy King' explained: "I said, 'Please somebody stop this man from his own self!' He is a shadow of his own self. I know it's sad to say that but at forty years old, the three fights with me done him. They completely ended his career. I know everyone has their own reasons and everyone is entitled to do what they want, but it's sad to see, really."

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Over the last few weeks, there have been talks of Wilder potentially taking on Joshua this year. Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn revealed to the Sun that he initially held talks with the American's manager Shelly Finkel over a bout with Dave Allen - but it now seems as if Joshua is ready to face the 'Bronze Bomber.'

"I think it's a great fight," Hearn remarked. "I mean there's jeopardy in it, it's dangerous. Originally I was speaking to Shelly about Dave Allen. I kind of get the feeling that Wilder wants to get a few fights under the belt, get a bit of confidence back. I think it's great to see him returning, it's really important that Deontay is still in the heavyweight division. AJ I will be here tonight. We've just started pinging a few opponents backwards and forwards, nothing really to talk about, but you will see AJ in the ring, November or December."

Meanwhile, boxing legend Carl Froch has suggested that Wilder should hang up his gloves. On his official YouTube channel, Froch, a former world champion, didn't hold back in expressing his opinion on Wilder's recent bout against Herndon last Friday night. The Brit labelled the match a 'tune-up' fight for Wilder and bluntly stated he believes 'Herndon showed up to get beat up.'

"What's next for him [Wilder]? Has he got a career left?" He said. "I just think that, I mean he's lost four of his last six fights... After that, you just think to yourself, he's finished," Froch opined before adding: "It's all smoke and mirrors now. Everyone thinks he's back with that big punch, and they want to see him get in there... It would be nice to see him now probably hang his gloves up."