Former Heavyweight Champion ‘Knows’ Tyson Fury Is Scared To Face Him: “They Lied About Me”
In an electrifying year for heavyweight boxing, Tyson Fury co-starred in the first undisputed heavyweight clash in over two decades, ultimately falling short in a split decision against Oleksandr Usyk. This highly anticipated bout marked a pivotal moment in the sport, reigniting interest and debate among fans and experts alike.
However, the path leading up to this historic fight was fraught with controversy and criticism. Fury’s team faced significant backlash from various quarters of the boxing world for their matchmaking choices. The Brit opted for a voluntary defense against Derek Chisora in late 2022 and then took a ten-month hiatus before facing former UFC Champion and boxing debutant, Francis Ngannou. These decisions were scrutinized heavily, with many questioning Fury’s willingness to take on more formidable opponents.
During this period, Fury claimed that no one was willing to step up and face him, including former unified champion Andy Ruiz Jr. The Mexican-American boxer, who was highly ranked with the WBC at the time, was accused of pricing himself out of a potential fight, with reports suggesting he demanded $20 million for the bout.
Ruiz Jr. vehemently denied these accusations in an interview with Cornerman Boxing, asserting that the narrative was fabricated to mask Fury’s reluctance to fight him. “Everybody kept saying that I was asking for too much money. Everything was a lie, bro. That’s what I know that people are scared to fight me. That’s why I gotta be 100%. Yes, I think Fury is scared. Everybody is. Everybody is always gonna underestimate this little man. It’s gonna be hard. With my style, it’s a little hard to adapt to,” Ruiz Jr. stated.
As things stand, a fight between Fury and Ruiz Jr. seems increasingly unlikely. Fury is slated to rematch Usyk in December, while Ruiz Jr. is set to return from a nearly two-year layoff to face Jarrell Miller on August 3. Despite the odds, Ruiz Jr. remains determined to face Fury in the future. The 34-year-old also expressed a desire to challenge Usyk and to complete a trilogy with Anthony Joshua, the man he famously defeated to win three belts before losing them in an immediate rematch.
The boxing world remains on edge, eagerly awaiting the outcomes of these upcoming fights and the potential future clashes that could reshape the heavyweight landscape.
