Jai Opetaia, who sparred with Tyson Fury earlier this year, has slammed 'absolute lies' that he was forced to leave the Gypsy King's training camp after knocking him down in sparring.
Fury is currently in the spotlight ahead of his mouthwatering showdown with Oleksandr Usyk, which is due to take place on May 18.
Earlier this year, Opetaia sparred with Fury.
And it was previously claimed that he knocked the 35-year-old down, which is why he left camp early.
Boxing: Tyson Fury is currently preparing for his huge fight with Oleksandr Usyk on May 18
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Yet Opetaia has now blasted back at claims that was why he left, insisting he departed to prepare for his own fight with Mairis Briedis - which will take place on the undercard of the fight between Fury and Usyk.
Speaking to Seconds Out, he said: “It was a great experience.
"I’m so grateful to be called into that camp, being surrounded by other champions and world-class athletes, it’s just a whole other learning curve to be part of their camp for a week and a bit to see how they do things.
"It was all positive. He earned my respect and I’m sure I earned his.
“I was there a week.
"If I wasn’t fighting on the same card I would have stayed longer.
"I’m fighting Breidis, I’m not fighting someone 6ft9, so it didn’t make too much sense for me to stay around, and I needed some orthodox sparring.
"We thought it would be smart to come home and finish our camp so we did.”
When quizzed on the rumours he knocked Fury down, he added: "All b******t.
"It’s annoying reporters spread absolute lies.”
It isn't the first time a Fury insider has had to debunk the rumour.
His brother, Shane, insisted the claims were wide of the mark when they first emerged in February.
Speaking to Boxing King Media, he fumed: “I can assure you he [Opetaia] never dropped anyone.
"If he beat Tyson up I would tell you that ‘yeah he’s a very good man and whatever’ – be straight.
"I wouldn’t be saying anything if Tyson did the same with him – they’re spar stories.
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Boxing: Jai Opetaia has blasted 'absolute lies' that he dropped Tyson Fury in sparring
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“A load of rubbish – that obviously never happened, just never happened.
"But people will believe exactly what they want to believe. Any little bit of negative, they can get views off them. I suppose it’s the business.
“These people – if they’re doing 100 videos a month, 85 of them is off Tyson, negativeness.”
Shane also then claimed that nobody had ever been able to drop Fury in sparring, adding: "Tyson’s never ever been dominated, in the whole process of a spar.
"He’s gone in there and he’s been tired on occasions. You’re not yourself every day in training. If you are, you’re not training hard enough.
Boxing: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will go to war on May 18 with plenty on the line
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“Even in them tired moments, he’s never been dominated, he’s never been beat up. Never ever.
"With sparring partners – listen he’s had some really good ones – Moses (Itauma), just unbelievable, he’s an unbelievable talent, just turned 19 – he’s had a few fights. Very good sparring for Tyson.
“But as far as Tyson getting beat up by anyone and dropped.
"Tyson’s never ever been dropped in sparring, ever – he looks like he’s got a f***ing glass chin in the ring – but never in sparring has he been dropped.”
