British heavyweight Tyson Fury tweeted on Wednesday that he had retired from the sport after his blockbuster bout with David Haye was cancelled for a second time.
However, trainer and uncle Peter Fury quickly reassured fans that the 25-year-old had not brought a premature end to his career, but that his fighter would only compete against the biggest names in the world.
Below, Sports Mole assesses who Fury could step into a ring with in 2014 if, as expected, he performs a u-turn on his talk of early retirement.
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After it was revealed on Sunday that David Haye had withdrawn from his February date with Fury, attention quickly turned to American Deontay Wilder taking the two-time world champion's place at the Phones4U Arena.
While it is unexpected that any potential encounter would take place on February 8, Peter Fury has revealed that contact has been made with Wilder's camp, with both fighters taking to Twitter to display their eagerness for a deal to be agreed.
Despite being in danger of losing his unbeaten record, Fury has often stated that he would expose the knockout artist, who has stopped each of his opponents inside four rounds, while Wilder needs a big-name bout to further cement his position as the most feared heavyweight on the planet.
Apart from a possible fight between Wilder and one of the Klitschko brothers, a match-up involving Fury and Wilder is arguably the most lucrative that heavyweight boxing can throw up at the moment, and the pair appear destined to meet sometime in 2014.
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Dereck Chisora has enjoyed something of a resurgence during 2014, picking up three consecutive victories and taking the European strap against Edmund Gerber in September.
A win over Czech Republic combatant Ondrej Pala next weekend could take him closer to a world title opportunity, while he is also the mandatory challenger to David Price's British title, but the Liverpudlian is expected to vacate as he begins the comeback trail after two defeats to Tony Thompson.
Fury has already insisted that he wouldn't face a man whom he has already defeated in 2011, but he could be persuaded if a second success over Chisora would pave the way to a world title assault later in the year.
A potential clash would also do good numbers in England, and at a time when both men are reaching a pivotal point in their career, it could prove to be a logical match to make.
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American Chris Arreola was another name mentioned in the aftermath of the news of David Haye's withdrawal last weekend, and he will likely be considered if a deal can't be reached with Wilder.
The 32-year-old stopped Seth Mitchell inside a round in September to move him into the top three of both the WBC and WBA standings, and he is potentially one fight away from a world title encounter.
Arreola will most likely be eyeing up a rematch with Bermane Stiverne, who is mandatory for Vitali Klitschko's WBC belt, but if that doesn't happen, a bout between Fury and the experienced American could appeal to both men.
An impressive win for Arreola over Fury would strengthen his credentials, while Fury will be keen to build his American fanbase after his triumph over Steve Cunningham in April.
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The likelihood is that Fury will have to beat a high-ranked opponent before he will have the opportunity to face Wladimir Klitschko, but it's not impossible that Klitschko could choose Fury for his next optional title defence.
Klitschko's next fight is expected to be against IBF mandatory Kubrat Pulev, but if Fury is prepared to bide his time to put forward his case to go toe to toe with Wladimir in Germany, he could tempt the 37-year-old into a deal.
While the odds would be stacked against Fury, Klitschko would be aware of the publicity and money that would come from facing the Brit, and he could deem it an ideal chance to add to his growing knockout record.
Wladimir's pride was dented when he couldn't stop Haye in 2011, and after a poor display against Alexander Povetkin last month, the Ukrainian could look to compete against a credible opponent who won't sit on the back foot for 12 rounds and whom he can out-box at range.
Darren Plant
