England cricketer Ben Stokes has blasted heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after he 'joked' about retiring from boxing.

The 28-year-old, nicknamed 'Gypsy King', took to social media on Monday afternoon appearing to announce his retirement.

Fury, who reportedly tested positive for cocaine in September, also described boxing as the "saddest thing I ever took part in".

After the announcement, Stokes tweeted: "Fury is an embarrassment to professional sport."

In reply to a Twitter user, who defended Fury and claimed that Stokes had made the "odd error", the England all-rounder said: "Didn't shove shit up nose and laugh about it,or take the piss out of my profession,pull your head in."

Fury has postponed his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko twice due to injury and medical reasons.