Amir Khan worried about Tyson Fury ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch - 'Let's hope'

Boxing news Tyson Fury

Boxing news: Tyson Fury was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in their fight back in May

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 06/09/2024

- 10:21

The boxing star will do battle with his Ukrainian rival on December 21

Amir Khan has admitted he's worried Tyson Fury 'might have taken his foot off the pedal' as the Briton prepares for his upcoming rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury lost to Usyk back in May, with the 36-year-old suffering his first defeat as a professional in the process.


He is adamant he deserved to win the initial bout, however, and is confident that he'll be able to avenge that defeat later in the year.

Khan disagrees with the idea that Fury has no chance against Usyk, who has also overcome Anthony Joshua and Tony Bellew in the post.

Boxing news Tyson Fury

Boxing news: Tyson Fury was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk in their fight back in May

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But the former boxing star has raised concerns that Saudi Arabian money may have made Fury 'relaxed' as he prepares to return to the ring.

"I’ve been seeing comments that Tyson Fury is going to get beat again but knocked out this time," he told Action Network.

"But I don’t see that. One thing about Fury is, every time he’s lost or had a bad fight, he’s come back stronger and has known what to do and how to beat the guy.

"He might have taken his foot off the pedal in the first fight but this time he’s going to have to be focused and ready.

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"He needs that fire in his belly again and wants to be world champion again.

"I don’t know if the Saudi money has made him relaxed or take that fire away but let’s hope he really wants it.

"I know if Tyson walks into that ring and is the guy who wants it then he’ll definitely get the knockout and win."

Prior to the first fight, John Fury made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

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The 59-year-old headbutted a member of Usyk's team in unsavoury scenes in the build-up to the clash.

As Fury crashed to defeat, some felt John was interfering too much.

And Khan feels the Irishman would be wise to take a step back for the rematch on December 21.

He added: "My father always used to be in the gym with me and press conferences but then he refused to be in the corner.

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Boxing news Amir Khan

Boxing news: Amir Khan fears whether Tyson Fury still has the hunger as he prepares to do battle with Oleksandr Usyk

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"He said leave it to the experts and the guys who know the business better.

"Also, even though he had been in boxing for a very long time and was the first person to take me to the gym, he still gave the respect to the main trainers and said let them do their job.

"He said ‘I only know so much and can only do so much.’ As a support system, he was amazing, but he understood he couldn’t be a cornerman and a father at the same time.

"My father left me to it and let Freddie Roach or Virgil Hunter or Joe Goosen to do their job and let them do what they do best. He never interfered and I think that’s how Tyson Fury’s father needs to be for the next couple of fights with Tyson.

Boxing news Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Tyson Fury is currently preparing for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk with the pair set to fight again on December 21

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"Tyson would love to have him there and around but when you get too involved on the coaching side and the managing side as well as being a father at the same time, it might not work or come together.

"Especially in a place like Saudi Arabia where I did see some stuff and was speaking to a couple of the guys in Saudi Arabia who were local, saying he was screaming in the hallways, swearing and stuff.

"I like John Fury, he’s a lovely guy, I just think it was one of those things and pressure got to him. Sometimes it’s just better to bite your tongue and walk away.

"But when you have the opponent’s people or team trying to get you angry and bring that out in you to retaliate back… having your son as a world champion sometimes you have to tell yourself to leave it and walk away from what’s going on."

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