40-year-old Tony Bellew has entertained the idea of a comeback after calling out WBC bridgerweight champion Lukasz Rozanski.
Bellew walked away from the sport following his knockout defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in 2018.
While that was not the way the Brit wanted to bow out of the sport, there was no shame in coming second best to an all-time great in Usyk.
The latter was undisputed at cruiserweight and has unified the heavyweight division since then.
Meanwhile, Bellew finished with a more than respectable record of 30 wins that included only three losses.
The Brit’s career was topped off when he beat Ilunga Makabu to win the vacant WBC cruiserweight title via a third-round TKO.
That was followed up by two mega domestic fights with David Haye, as Bellew stopped the former unified cruiserweight and the WBA heavyweight champion with two consecutive stoppages.
Since leaving the sport, Bellew has been working in the media, most notably for DAZN. Although Bellew may have nothing else to prove, it appears that he does have history on his mind.
Victory over Rozanski would make Bellew a two-weight world champion. And as the Pole is 37 years old, it appears Bellew fancies his chances as Rozanski was receptive to the idea.
I think your in need of a fight that goes past 4 rounds @RozanskiBoxi 🤷♂️ I’m bored and don’t see anything that suggests you can do it against me! What you think? 🤷♂️
— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) June 22, 2023
Why not? I'm waiting for a good offer!
Are you sure you can last it?🤔— Łukasz Różański (@RozanskiBoxi) June 22, 2023
Despite Bellew’s enthusiasm, the boxing community were against the former champion returning.
Social Media Response
No stay retired bellew we don't want to see any return
— Paul's Straight Laying Service (@paulmoore99) June 22, 2023
Stay retired mate. What do you have to prove? Not being a troll. You won a world championship at Cruiser and made some decent bag against Haye.
— Colin 🇺🇦 (@London_Skylines) June 22, 2023
Tony no need to fight again, the main thing is you get home safe to your wife and kids
— Kieron (@kieroncc97) June 22, 2023