Tyson Fury predicts public backlash and aims dig at Anthony Joshua ahead of Oleksandr Usyk boxing fight

Tyson Fury predicts public backlash and aims dig at Anthony Joshua ahead of Oleksandr Usyk boxing fight

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 08/01/2024

- 08:26

Next month's fight in Saudi Arabia is creeping closer

Tyson Fury has claimed he's expecting a public backlash after his fight with Oleksandr Usyk - and has also aimed a dig at Anthony Joshua.

The Gypsy King is currently training ahead of next month's blockbuster heavyweight fight.


Fury's contest with Usyk has the makings of a classic, with both men undefeated in their careers so far.

The Briton has won 34 of his 35 showdowns, with a draw against Deontay Wilder in 2018 the only time he's failed to come out on top.

Boxing news Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight in Saudi Arabia next month

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As for Usyk, the Ukrainian has won all 21 of his bouts - with his most recent victory coming against Daniel Dubois back in August.

Fury thinks he'll 'splatter' Usyk when the two men meet in Saudi Arabia, in the first heavyweight fight since the days of Lennox Lewis.

But he thinks that, even if he wins, he'll receive criticism.

"I'll tell you now, what people are going to say when I splatter Usyk," he said, per Saddoboxing.

"'He was too small, it was a mismatch, he was never any good for Tyson, it was a mismatch'.

"Chisora I thought beat Usyk anyway."

When asked if Derek Chisora gave Usyk a tougher night than Joshua, Fury couldn't resist a little dig.

"I don't think that. I know it," the 35-year-old added.

Fury's defensive comments suggest he's fully aware of the backlash following his victory over Francis Ngannou at the end of October.

The Gypsy King was unconvincing that night and was sensationally knocked down in round three.

Ngannou was making his boxing debut - and felt he'd done enough to win the fight.

However, Fury managed to get up off the canvas and won via split decision - though many have condemned the heavyweight star for his performance.

Meanwhile, former welterweight champion Shawn Porter has opened up as the battle between Fury and Usyk nears.

He fears the Briton may have had enough of 'hard nights' after si many years of entering the ring.

And he's even suggested the upcoming battle could be scrapped, despite all the paperwork being signed and sealed.

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Boxing news Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Tyson Fury expects a public backlash to his upcoming fight with Oleksandr Usyk

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He told ProBox TV: "You look at a guy like Tyson Fury, a guy who has been around this track so many times, and I think that a fighter will get to a point where they see the hardest night ahead of them and they’re like, ‘man, I just had so many of those hard nights, I am not going to have that hard night’.

"So, even with the fight being signed sealed and delivered, what we know about Tyson Fury is that he is a showman, what we know about Tyson Fury is that he likes things to be his way or no way.

"Me personally, I don’t feel like this is the kind of energy that he wants to that he wants to exert any more in the boxing ring, which is why he went after a Francis Ngannou, because those are the kind of fights that he is looking for.

Boxing news Anthony Joshua

Boxing news: Tyson Fury has aimed a dig at Anthony Joshua as his battle with Oleksandr Usyk creeps closer

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"He is looking for things that are going to give him the money and the recognition and the nights that he is not going to have to train hard for anymore."

For now, however, the fight seems to be going ahead.

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