By Edward Chaykovsky
Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew (29-2, 19 KOs) has ruled out the possibility of retirement, according to Sky Sports.
Earlier this week, Bellew had stated that he was leaning in the direction of retirement, but wouldn't make a decision until he sat down with promoter Eddie Hearn to review the options that were available to him.
Last month, Bellew pulled off the biggest victory of his pro career when he moved up to the heavyweight division to score an eleventh round stoppage over London rival and former two division champion David Haye.
Haye, who tore his Achilles during the contest and underwent surgery, wants a rematch with Bellew at the end of the year.
Bellew would consider a rematch, but he also wants to face one of the heavyweight champions - preferably WBO champion Joseph Parker, should he beat Hughie Fury in two weeks.
Bellew broke his right hand during the contest with Haye and is hoping to avoid surgery.
"I hopefully will avoid an operation, I have already had one done," Bellew exclusively told Sky Sports. "Major surgery on the left hand, done. I probably would have needed the same thing done on the right hand, which would have meant five months out and I just didn't want that.
"I have [broken] my hand six times (four on the right, two on the left) and I've had a recurring open fracture on the right hand since my third pro fight. You will never meet a boxer of my size with hands that are my size. It will be at least 10 days [from Friday] before I tap a bag, or just do anything," he said.
"I haven't punched anything yet. The good thing is the fracture has calcified, but it's not set. It will still take a few more weeks to actually set. I have to tap with it, with 20 ounce gloves on the first few sessions and then tap again."