Frank Warren tells Tyson Fury to target Oleksandr Usyk's 'Achilles heel' in boxing fight - 'I'm surprised'

WATCH NOW: Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury face off ahead of their fight

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 06/04/2024

- 12:57

The promoter is confident the Gypsy King will get the job done next month

Tyson Fury's promoter Frank Warren has backed the Gypsy King to target a supposed weakness of Oleksandr Usyk in May's huge undisputed clash.

Warren is backing the Gypsy King to knock out his Ukrainian opponent and put himself in the record books as one of the sport's greatest heavyweights.


Fury and Usyk will battle it out in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 18 after their February bout was postponed.

It will be the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight encounter this century and both fighters will put their unbeaten records on the line.

Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Frank Warren

Boxing news: Frank Warren has urged Tyson Fury to target Oleksandr Usyk's weakness

Getty/Sky Sports

Warren admits it is likely that Usyk will target the cut above Fury's eye that he sustained in sparring earlier this year.

He told Sky Sports: "Well, I would. Of course he will [try to do that].

"He had a worse cut against [Otto] Wallin. Tyson had a dreadful cut in that fight and won the fight convincingly with a bad cut, a real bad cut.

"He's got plan A, plan B and a plan C and more importantly, he's got a big heart."

But Warren also thinks there is an area that Fury can target, saying that Usyk has 'always' had a problem with being hit with body shots.

He is surprised that not more has been spoken of that since Daniel Dubois fought Usyk last August.

Warren added: "One thing about Tyson, if he senses a crack or sees any weakness, he's the biggest exploiter of it and that's why it's going to be such an exciting fight.

"On the other hand, Usyk might feel from the [Francis] Ngannou fight there are some things that he can exploit and I'm sure he will. He's a competitor.

"He's a competitor from amateur days right up until the present day. He's done everything that's been asked of him.

"His Achilles' heel, as I've said, and I'm surprised the so-called experts never picked up on it, has always been his body.

"Daniel Dubois, that's what he was trained for, to go and exploit that and he nearly pulled it off."

Warren is in no doubt of the magnitude of the bout but doesn't expect it to go the distance.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Frank Warren

Boxing news: Frank Warren is confident Tyson Fury will knock Oleksandr Usyk out

Sky Sports

He is backing Fury to get the job done with a knockout. Warren said: "It is the biggest fight this century. It's the blue ribbon division as far as most people are concerned.

"The heavyweight champion of the world has always been one of the most recognised sportsmen on the planet.

"You've got two undefeated fighters, which is unusual to be happening. And it will settle this dispute once and for all as to who is the best.

"We've all got our views but one thing's for sure, it will be competitive while it lasts. I don't think it will go the distance.

Tyson Fury and OIeksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Tyson Fury and OIeksandr Usyk will face off on May 18

Getty

"I think Tyson will knock him out. Like I predicted he would knock out Wilder in the second fight. I really fancied him to do that.

"I think he'll stop him but I think it going to be a real, real exciting fight while it lasts.

"It is the most important fight, without a doubt. And the winner will be the man and will go down in the history books."