Tyson Fury’s Training Dilemma: Is He Ready for Usyk Showdown or Just 85

Tyson Fury’s Training Dilemma: Is He Ready for Usyk Showdown or Just 85

As the highly anticipated clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk draws near, a shadow of uncertainty looms over Fury’s preparation. Concerns have been raised by none other than Derek Chisora, who fears that Fury’s recent eye injury may have hindered his training, leaving him at only 85% capacity.

Fury’s lackluster performance in his last bout against Francis Ngannou coupled with criticisms following that fight have added weight to Chisora’s apprehensions. Originally scheduled for February, the showdown was postponed to May after Fury suffered a serious cut above his eye during sparring.

Chisora, speaking candidly to Crypto Casino LTD, voiced his worries about Fury’s condition. He questioned whether the cut has fully healed and whether Fury’s training intensity has been compromised. With Usyk’s impeccable record of 21 wins in as many fights, Chisora emphasized the importance of Fury being at his peak.

“The cut could play a big factor in the fight,” Chisora admitted. “Has that massive cut managed to properly heal? It can make sparring difficult, you’d be cautious to open it up again. It’s a predicament. While Usyk is doing everything the right way, is Tyson doing his camp at 85 percent of what he would have been doing before he got the cut? Only his close team will know. Usyk is undoubtedly going to be targeting that cut.”

Despite Chisora’s concerns, he remains hopeful for Fury’s victory against Usyk, echoing the sentiments of many British fans. However, he acknowledged the unpredictable nature of boxing and the potential impact of Fury’s injury on his strategy.

“I want the British man to win, 100 per cent,” Chisora asserted. “But if you’re a betting man you’d have to think: this is the cut he had against Otto Wallin and it’s going to come back again. I think Tyson is going to have to box on his back foot. But then again he might drop Usyk with an uppercut.”

Adding to the intrigue surrounding Fury’s camp are rumors of a knockdown by Jai Opetaia during sparring earlier in the year. Fury and his team vehemently deny these claims, with Opetaia himself dismissing them as “absolute lies.”

Opetaia, reflecting on his time in Fury’s camp, emphasized the positive experience and the mutual respect between him and the heavyweight champion. However, he clarified that his departure was necessitated by his own upcoming fight preparations.

“It was all positive. He earned my respect and I’m sure I earned his,” Opetaia stated. “I was there a week. If I wasn’t fighting on the same card I would have stayed longer. I’m fighting Breidis, I’m not fighting someone 6ft9, so it didn’t make too much sense for me to stay around, and I needed some orthodox sparring. We thought it would be smart to come home and finish our camp so we did.”

With tensions rising and speculation swirling, the countdown to the Fury-Usyk showdown intensifies. Will Fury defy the odds and silence his doubters, or will Usyk capitalize on any weaknesses to secure victory? Only time will tell as the boxing world awaits the answer with bated breath.