Eddie Hearn makes Tyson Fury feelings clear amid claims Oleksandr Usyk fight will be delayed again

Eddie Hearn makes Tyson Fury feelings clear amid claims Oleksandr Usyk fight will be delayed again

WATCH NOW: Tyson Fury discusses upcoming fight with Oleksandr Usyk

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 20/04/2024

- 09:39

The two men are due to fight in Riyadh on May 18

Eddie Hearn has made it clear he doesn't expect Tyson Fury to withdraw from his fight with Oleksandr Usyk - despite recent claims from George Groves.

Earlier this week, Groves expressed a belief there was still 'a chance' Fury could pull out of the bout, which is due to take place in Saudi Arabia next month.


The fight between Fury and Usyk has already been delayed twice.

It was originally due to take place in December, only for Fury to request more time to recover following his narrow victory over Francis Ngannou two months previously.

Boxing Eddie Hearn

Boxing: Eddie Hearn doesn't think the fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will be delayed again

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Then their bout was pushed back from February to May after the Gypsy King sustained a serious cut above his eye in sparring.

Fury has repeatedly insisted he's ready for his showdown with Usyk.

And Hearn insists he's confident the Briton won't withdraw and that the fight will proceed as planned.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “[I am] more sure than I am about any normal fight because it’s already been postponed once.

“Honestly, I have no doubt this fight happens.

“People talk about, ‘Was the cut real?’ It’s the most ridiculous statement you could ever hear.

“The guy’s making tens and tens and tens of millions and he’s been training away from his family for nine weeks, you don’t just decide to cut your eye to get you out of the fight.

"It’s ridiculous.”

Hearn wants Fury to win so he can potentially fight Anthony Joshua.

Joshua is back to his best after victories over Jermaine Franklin Jr, Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius and Francis Ngannou over the past 18 months.

And while Hearn thinks Usyk will actually reign supreme, the boxing promoter wants Fury to win.

“I think it [the postponement] is gonna help Fury in terms of his fitness, he looks in great shape,” he continued.

“I saw a video of Usyk the other day, he looks in tremendous shape.

“My pick’s going backwards and forwards. I went with Fury, now I’m with Usyk.

“But I want Fury to win the fight. I really believe the fight with AJ can happen if he wins.

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Boxing: Eddie Hearn wants Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight showdown

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“It’s a pure 50/50 fight, it’s one of the best fights that can be made in boxing, it’s the undisputed heavyweight world championship.

“Four weeks – you will see that fight, without a doubt.”

Fury, meanwhile, insists he's not afraid of losing to Usyk - despite being unbeaten during his career so far.

"If I go in there and get banged out in two seconds, it’s like ‘ah well’, thanks very much and good night, God bless you, and I’ll see you in October," he joked.

Fury has won 34 of his 35 career fights so far.

Boxing Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing: Oleksandr Usyk represents the toughest opponent Tyson Fury has ever faced

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The only time he failed to come out on top was when he drew with Deontay Wilder in 2018.

Usyk, meanwhile, has been victorious in all of his 21 bouts - with his last victory coming against Daniel Dubois back in October.

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