Conor McGregor names advantage 'crafty' Tyson Fury has ahead of colossal Oleksandr Usyk showdown

Conor McGregor names advantage 'crafty' Tyson Fury has ahead of colossal Oleksandr Usyk showdown

WATCH NOW: Tyson Fury previews his colossal showdown with Oleksandr Usyk

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 14/05/2024

- 15:44

The UFC icon has opened up ahead of the big event on Saturday night

Conor McGregor feels Tyson Fury's size could be an advantage when the Gypsy King faces Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night.

Excitement for the colossal fight in Saudi Arabia is rising, with two of the best heavyweight boxers out there set to put their careers on the line.


The pair are both undefeated from a combined 55 professional bouts, meaning something will likely have to give over the weekend - unless the event ends in a draw.

McGregor has now given his verdict to the BBC.

Conor McGregor Tyson Fury

Conor McGregor has opened up on Tyson Fury ahead of his huge showdown with Oleksandr Usyk this weekend

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And the UFC icon, who previously fought Floyd Mayweather in a professional match back in 2017, feels Fury's size could be a decisive factor.

"Usyk is a crafty, crafty boxer. If anyone can do it, maybe Usyk can do it, [But] Tyson is also a crafty boxer," he said.

"Plus he has the size. Tyson is a tough man to beat, in the boxing arena."

Fury certainly comes in way taller than Usyk, with the Gypsy King a huge 6'7 - while his rival is 6'2.

Whether that sees him come out on top remains to be seen, however, with Usyk's technical ability his biggest strength.

Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, feels his man is destined to win.

And he's also compared the Briton to the late, great Muhammad Ali because of his larger-than-life character.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, he said: “Tyson’s the biggest personality in heavyweight boxing since Muhammad Ali.

“He says some nutty stuff sometimes, but he is a massive personality, he’s a very smart guy and he doesn’t suffer fools.

“Plus, he’s very philosophical. If something goes wrong, he can be down, but he just bites the bullet and gets on with it.”

The fight has been delayed several times so far, causing plenty of frustration for fans in the process.

Fury and Usyk had been due to fight each other in December, just two months after the Gypsy King had beaten Francis Ngannou.

With Fury surprisingly pushed all the way by his opponent, however, he requested more time to prepare.

A new date in February was then pencilled in and, for a while, it seemed as though fans would get their wish of seeing the two heavyweights go at each other.

However, the bout was pushed back once again after Fury sustained a serious injury to his eye in sparring.

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Tyson Fury Oleksandr Usyk

Conor McGregor feels Tyson Fury's size could give an edge when he goes up against Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia

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Warren insists delays are normal, however, though did admit he has found the postponements to be 'frustrating'.

“It’s been frustrating, as we felt we had the fight a few times in the UK first and it didn’t happen for various reasons," he added.

“But it’s been far quicker than, say, Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, which took maybe 10 years to get on.

“So many fights get delayed with one fighter on the wane or neither in their prime.

"These guys are in their absolute prime.”

Frank Warren

Boxing promoter Frank Warren is backing Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk

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There's talk of a potential fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua after years of speculation.

Warren says, however, that a possible duel between the two Britons will have to wait for the time being.

“It won’t happen this year unless one of [Fury or Usyk] steps aside from the rematch," he insisted.

“And they won’t with the money involved, but there’s a pathway to finally seeing it happen.”

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