Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, told the BBC Fury had become a "world star".

"If you look at some of the fights he's had, he's not been in one fight that hasn't been exciting," he said.

Fury's retirement appears to mean he will not take on another former world champion, Anthony Joshua, in a long-anticipated all-British showdown.

Joshua said at the weekend a fight with Fury "has to happen this year".

On Monday, Joshua's promoter, Matchroom's Eddie Hearn, said he doubted that Fury was really gone for good.

The two-time heavyweight world champion, who stands six feet nine inches (206 centimeters) tall was born three months' premature in Manchester in 1988, weighing just one pound (half a kilogram).

He was named after American boxing great Mike Tyson while his "Gypsy King" nickname comes from his Irish Traveller roots.

Fury turned professional in 2008 before becoming the British and Commonwealth champion with victory over Derek Chisora three years later.

In 2014, he beat Chisora again, this time for the European and WBO international heavyweight titles.