Tyson Fury's concerning training camp leak dismissed as 'absolute rubbish' with Oleksandr Usyk warning

Tyson Fury's concerning training camp leak dismissed as 'absolute rubbish' with Oleksandr Usyk warning

Watch now: Usyk responds to Fury's jab about him wearing earrings

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 31/01/2024

- 20:53

Updated: 31/01/2024

- 21:06

Tyson Fury takes on Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles on February 17.

Eddie Hearn has called rumours that Tyson Fury was dropped in sparring during his training camp to fight Oleksandr Usyk "absolute rubbish".

Fury and Usyk are now just days away from their undisputed heavyweight clash in Saudi Arabia with both fighters putting their undefeated records on the line.


But concerns were raised earlier this month when it was reported that Fury had been dropped in sparring by Jai Opetaia.

The cruiserweight champion, who is co-promoted by Hearn, left Fury's camp after sparring just five rounds with the Gypsy King.

Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in two weeks

Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk in two weeks

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Johnny Nelson then raised eyebrows when he explained he had heard "rumours" that Opetaia had in fact floored Fury.

Opetaia's team dismissed the suggestions, insisting his reason for departing was because he wanted more orthodox sparring to prepare for his own fight in February.

Hearn has echoed Opetaia's team's remarks, insisting any suggestion that Fury was put on his backside in sparring as "complete rubbish".

He told talkSPORT: "I saw the piece yesterday with Johnny Nelson and Spencer Oliver.

"Johnny Nelson was adamant that Fury had been dropped in sparring by Jai Opetaia.

"Jai Opetaia is with Matchroom, he's a tremendous fighter. As far as I can see, it's absolute rubbish.

"Jai Opetaia flew in, he did five rounds with Tyson Fury. I mean, he will set about him as he always does, but as I understand it nobody got hurt or dropped in the spar.

"Then after that Jai went back because it's all southpaws in [Fury's] training camp [to prepare for Usyk], and he's fighting Mairis Briedis who's an orthodox fighter.

Tyson Fury was knocked down by Francis Ngannou in his last fight

Tyson Fury was knocked down by Francis Ngannou in his last fight

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"So I think it's absolute rubbish, sparring stories are sparring stories.

"As I understand it, Fury's having a great camp and I think he's taking it very seriously.

"I expect a much better Tyson Fury in this fight against Usyk. Usyk looks razor focused and sharp. It's a 50/50 fight.

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Tyson Fury is looking to become an undisputed heavyweight champion

Tyson Fury is looking to become an undisputed heavyweight champion

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"I think the Opetaia rumours are just rumours, complete rubbish."

Fury's last fight came against Francis Ngannou and recorded a narrow win over the MMA icon.

Ngannou put Fury on the canvas and narrowly lost on the judge's scorecards to the heavyweight champion.

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