Tyson Fury 'regretful' as seismic Oleksandr Usyk boxing showdown creeps closer

Tyson Fury 'regretful' as seismic Oleksandr Usyk boxing showdown creeps closer

WATCHH NOW: Nigel Farage discusses Tyson Fury with Frank Bruno

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 02/01/2024

- 11:26

The two men will battle it out next month

Tyson Fury is 'regretful' as his mega clash with Oleksandr Usyk creeps closer, it has been claimed.

The Gypsy King is currently preparing for the fight, which is due to take place on February 17 in Saudi Arabia.


Fury does, however, have a point to prove.

The 35-year-old was poor during his victory over Francis Ngannou at the end of October, going down in round three before eventually winning via split decision.

Boxing news Tyson Fury

Boxing news: Tyson Fury could face Francis Ngannou in a rematch

PA

Fury has been widely criticised for that performance, with his own father worried about a potential decline.

And boxing promoter Todd DuBoef, speaking to Sky Sports, believes the Gypsy King is 'regretful' over his display.

DuBoef also thinks Ngannou has earned a rematch, too, having impressed on his boxing debut.

“That’s an earned ability to get the rematch. He earned that," he told the broadcaster.

“His performance dictated that, ‘Woah, he has a chance. We never thought he had a chance’ and in that situation I think absolutely.

“I think Tyson is regretful. He blamed himself. He thought he had an off night.

“He said: ‘I took it lightly. It was all on me.’ Didn’t point fingers, which was good.

“Ngannou outperformed anybody’s expectation and as a result of that you have all the components to say, hey, I want to see this again and that creates and warrants a rematch.”

Ngannou revealed after his defeat to Fury that he was willing to wait for a rematch.

The Briton is currently preoccupied preparing for his upcoming showdown with Usyk.

And Ngannou said in November: "I would be willing to wait [for Fury to fight Usyk].

"I know that they are going to fight, they had a contract already, so they are going to fight sometime in February instead of December 23, which is my fault.

"I shouldn't have cut him. He would've fought December 23, and maybe we would've run it back early next year."

Usyk, meanwhile, has claimed he's confident of beating Fury in Saudi next month.

"Firstly, it's not 'if' I win but 'when' I win," the 35-year-old stated.

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Tyson Fury Francis Ngannou

Boxing news: Tyson Fury was unconvincing during his victory over Francis Ngannou at the end of October

GETTY

"When I go to sleep I imagine myself boxing, then my hand raised high. I simply believe that I can win.

"I got into his head and now instead of me, he thinks about a rabbit. Keep thinking, brother."

Fury likes to call Usyk a 'rabbit'.

But that's something that doesn't bother the Ukrainian, who thinks Fury nabbed the insult from rapper Eminem.

"I have listened to Eminem for many years, his mum used to call him a white rabbit," he added.

Boxing news Oleksandr Usyk

Boxing news: Oleksandr Usyk has opened up ahead of his fight with Tyson Fury

GETTY

"I don't know, I like this rapper.

"Tony Bellew once said that I am a beast in boxing, I said: 'Not really, I'm just a white rabbit.'"

You may like