Tyson Fury accused of censoring free speech with boxing star condemned ahead of Oleksandr Usyk fight

Tyson Fury recently banned talkSPORT from covering a Oleksandr Usyk press event in London

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 26/11/2023

- 14:10

The Gypsy King is currently gearing up for February's tantalising showdown

Carl Froch has accused Tyson Fury of censoring free speech as the boxing star's fight with Oleksandr Usyk nears.

The two men recently confirmed a new date for their showdown, having originally been due to lock horns on December 23.


However, prior to their recent London press conference, talkSPORT were banned by Fury and his camp.

The Gypsy King opted to prevent the broadcaster from covering the event after being left unhappy with the criticism he's received.

Carl Froch boxing

Carl Froch has accused Tyson Fury of restricting free speech

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And Froch, speaking on his YouTube channel, has now taken aim at Fury and accused him of banning free speech.

“Tyson Fury’s last press conference apparently talkSPORT were banned from there," he ranted.

"How can you ban an independent journalist that’s just giving an opinion?

"So is that where we’re going, if we don’t follow the narrative of Frank Warren or Eddie Hearn, are we not allowed to have an alternative opinion and give some critique to these fighters and how long the fights are taking to get made.

"If we can't have a word or an opinion, one, free speech has gone, but two, if you’re going to ban us from shows, how is that even plausible, how is that possible?

"How can Tyson Fury, a fighter, say ‘I don’t want talkSPORT’ it’s ridiculous and pathetic and it shouldn’t be happening.

"It’s ridiculous, you shouldn’t be having a say in which journalists turn up, you’re giving Tyson Fury too much power, banning journalists from shows needs to stop.”

It is currently unclear if talkSPORT will be able to cover Fury's next fight.

His battle with Usyk will be the biggest of his career, with four belts and plenty of bragging rights on the line.

Fury has won 34 of his 35 career fights prior to that war, with a draw against Deontay Wilder in 2018 the only blot on his record.

However, Usyk is also unbeaten having won all 21 of his own career fights so far.

Froch has been full of criticism for Fury in recent times.

He took aim at the Gypsy King for the way he behaved during his press conference with Usyk, labelling the Briton 'not manly' and 'embarrassing' for his actions.

“I think it’s old hat," the 46-year-old said earlier this month.

"When he starts with the name-calling and personal insults on physical appearances I just think it’s not manly.

"It’s funny at the start … it’s probably why he struggles to get sponsorship let’s be honest.

"It’s a hard sell for a company when he’s got the mouth he’s got. The potty mouth.

“When I watched it the other day, I’ve got to be honest, I’m bored of listening to him.

"He’s embarrassing himself.

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Tyson Fury is preparing for his boxing bout with Oleksandr Usyk

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"I thought Oleksandr Usyk was pure class … He came out of this looking very good and Tyson Fury is now the bad guy that everybody wants to lose.

"I’m not talking about myself, I’m talking about the feedback and the comments you read.”

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