The Gypsy King, 36, was beaten by The Cat, 38, last December in their rematch by unanimous decision, and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has now revealed that while Fury is happily retired, he is also still haunted by his final defeat.

Sulaiman told Sky Sports: “I call him regularly and he said, ‘Oh I'm so happy, retired, I'm here with my wife.’ He didn't hint whatsoever that he was planning on coming back.

“He told me he was not happy with the decision in the second fight with Usyk. He's still very bitter about the judges' scoring and he was very upset but he was retired, that's what he said”

While the WBC president insisted Fury didn’t hint at a boxing comeback, Sulaiman said he wouldn’t count The Gypsy King out completely.

He continued: “Maybe like in The Godfather, the movie, maybe we'll hear him say: 'Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!' We don't know.”

Sulaiman recently offered Fury a world title shot if he decided to put the gloves back on.

Speaking with Action Network, the WBC boss said: “If Tyson decides to come back to boxing, he always has a door open with the WBC. He will always be number one, so absolutely - we will give him a world title shot if he returns - because he is top of the top.

“He carried boxing through the dark times of the pandemic and Tyson is the one who elevated the sport and he’s the one who got Saudi Arabia to look into boxing.”

Sulaiman added Fury’s manager Spencer Brown was a “tremendous influence”, and emphasised it would be a “win-win for everyone” if The Gypsy King decided to get back in the ring.

The WBC head said: “Spencer Brown is a tremendous influence, a great manager and now he’s managing and promoting fighters.

“It’s a great team so it’s a win-win - for everyone - and my love and my gold heart goes to Tyson Fury and his team.”