Rio Ferdinand sends Anthony Joshua message over Tyson Fury retirement

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand doesn't think Tyson Fury will retire from boxing before facing Anthony Joshua.

Fury is rated by many as the best heavyweight boxer on the planet, along with one of the standout pound-for-pound boxers around. In his last fight, he made it back-to-back wins over the big-hitting Deontay Wilder, cementing his legacy as a generational competitor.

Fury faces Dillian Whyte on Saturday at a sell-out Wembley Stadium, as he seeks to add to his stellar reputation. The Gypsy King has said ahead of the fight that he thinks this bout will be his last too, although that assessment was disputed by his father.

Ferdinand also said he was unsure over Fury's retirement claims, noting that while his bank balance may be bolstered, there is still an itch to be scratched in Joshua.

"I think you listen to him and he's earned enough money to walk away and be happy," said the former England defender. "But as a sportsman I know that fire will still be burning. I find it hard to believe he will walk away without fighting Anthony Joshua."

Ferdinand was also asked for his prediction on how the fight will go, with Fury a big favourite to get one over his compatriot at the national stadium.

"I think this will be a tight fight," he said. "I don't think it will be as easy as a lot of people are making out for Tyson Fury - [but] I think he will get the job done. But I think Whyte will make him work for it."