Though WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has never been the most body beautiful fighter, he did not look in the best shape even by his standards at the press conference for his crossover bout with Francis Ngannou.
His promoter Bob Arum has played down the concerns about Fury’s condition, and claimed his charge was “getting into great shape.”
Speaking to ES News, Arum did concede that Fury will perhaps not be in the shape he would be for an undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
“That was at the press conference! He has plenty of time now and he is, as I understand it, getting into great shape.”
“The Fury that you’re going to see on October 28th will be in tremendous physical shape. Maybe not as much as he’ll end up being when he ends up fighting Usyk, but still in great shape.”
Truth be told, the gulf in boxing ability between Fury and Ngannou is so vast that the shape ‘The Gyspy King’ turns up to Riyadh in is probably inconsequential.
Though the former UFC heavyweight king clearly packs a punch, there are few credible observers who give him much chance of landing on Fury.
The bout was not particularly well received by boxing fans when announced, though all appears to have been forgiven recently, after it was announced that a showdown between Fury and Usyk has finally been signed.
Though the boxing world is still awaiting word of a date and venue, it appears the first undisputed heavyweight world title fight since Lennox Lewis vs Evander Holyfield back in 1999 is finally upon us.