Tyson Fury 'didn't look the way he should have' as warnings fired ahead of Oleksandr Usyk boxing fight

Tyson Fury 'didn't look the way he should have' as warnings fired ahead of Oleksandr Usyk boxing fight

WATCH NOW: Tyson Fury shows daughter black eye that delayed Oleksandr Usyk fight

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 05/04/2024

- 13:29

The duo will go up against each other next month following previous delays to their bout

Tyson Fury 'didn't look the way he should have' during his last fight against Francis Ngannou, Roy Jones Jr believes.

But the 55-year-old has warned both the Briton and Oleksandr Usyk that they both need to up the ante and overcome weaknesses if they're to reign supreme in their fight next month.


Fury was poor against Ngannou back in October, with the 35-year-old floored in round three of that showdown.

Though he won via split decision, he's been widely criticised for his performance in the time since.

Tyson Fury

Boxing news: Tyson Fury is currently training for his upcoming bout with Oleksandr Usyk

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Jones Jr, speaking to talkSPORT, believes Fury will take his upcoming showdown with Oleksandr Usyk far more seriously.

And the former boxing star has also warned Usyk he needs to find more explosive punches in order to topple Fury in Saudi Arabia.

"Usyk is a great tactician but he's not all that explosive," he said.

"If he was explosive it would be a problem.

"When you are smaller coming up to the big guys you've got to bring explosives to the ring or they won't respect you.

"If he can't find those explosives before that fight takes place he will not beat Tyson Fury, I don't care what they say.

"Tyson Fury didn't take Ngannou seriously and he didn't look the way he should have against Ngannou.

"But he's still Tyson Fury and he's definitely going to take Usyk seriously."

Fury has slimmed down ever since his victory over Ngannou.

The Gypsy King knows he needs to do better against Usyk, who is unbeaten from all 21 of his career fights so far.

Fury sustained a gruesome eye injury earlier this year that forced his fight with Usyk to be pushed back.

The duo had been due to fight in February but Fury, after cutting his eye, needed time to recover.

And cutman Jorge Capetillo recently said Fury was 'in good spirits' and feeling 'positive' ahead of the big event.

He said: "We spoke a week ago and Tyson is in good spirits, is positive, and as always, has a great attitude.

"I think he’s going to be in the best shape of his life.

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Boxing news: Tyson Fury was poor during his narrow win over Francis Ngannou back in October

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"He was in training camp looking incredible before unfortunately getting cut but he has a strong mind and is ready to go on May 18 for sure.

"The cut is healing very well, and he is very excited about this fight to become the undisputed champion of the world."

He added: "There’s always a possibility that it [the cut reopening] could happen, but Tyson has to do what he is good at with his distance and reach, not trying to knock him out in one punch but setting him up with big punches by using faints, his footwork and IQ in the ring.

"It is a matter of having good timing, reach and Tyson's footwork being at his best for the fight.

"For a heal, like 90 days but it’s been 60 days or more since the cut so I am sure with the right treatment, he should be ready for May 18 and soon he can start with some light sparring, nothing hard but to get the reach and distance right.

Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will battle it out on May 18

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"It is more important than power punches with reach and timing. He’ll probably be ready for sparring in the next couple of weeks.

"Tyson has to treat the cut well before the fight and do sparring sessions with the right head guard and start with nothing crazy to make sure he doesn’t get hit hard so it doesn’t re-open but I’m going to put emphasis on this, he needs his reach and timing right and if they are on point, it is game over for Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson will be on top."

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