By Edward Chaykovsky
According to former world champion Tony Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KOs), he is leaning to the possibility of retirement.
Last month, Bellew pulled off the biggest win of his career after moving up to the heavyweight division and stopping David Haye in eleven rounds at the O2 Arena in London.
There are several possibilities for Bellew, at cruiserweight where he held the WBC title and certainly at heavyweight.
Bellew is planning to make an announcement next week, but he could be motivated to continue fighting if the right opportunity comes up - like a heavyweight title shot.
The boxer plans to speak with his promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport, to discuss his future in the sport of boxing.
"I’ve got a few meetings over the weekend, I’ve talked with my coach, my family and I’ll be making an announcement next week. I’m not far off knowing what I’m going to, I’ve got to go through a few things with Eddie, but at the moment I’m thinking enough is enough. At the moment, I’m retiring," Bellew told Metro.
"But, I don’t know what Eddie will come up with. He’s had various meetings with Deontay Wilder’s promoter Al Haymon in the US, he’s met representatives of Joseph Parker. If I was to continue, the only thing that could motivate me is to become the heavyweight champion of the world. But then I also do have this factor of the Bermondsey Bitch who keeps talking about me…
"Ultimately the goal for me was to get home safely. I’ve done that now, is there anything left to prove? I don’t think so, but it’s got a nice ring to it: Tony Bellew, heavyweight champion of the world. That’s the only thing that may, possibly tempt me. But my family’s future is now secure, I’m in a nice place and relatively, I’m still in one piece. I’ve just beat one giant, the most avoided heavyweight in the world. I didn’t just beat him, I smashed him round after round."