Four-time super-middleweight champion Carl Froch has outlined one key change that Tyson Fury must make, if he is to avenge his defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in their proposed rematch later this year, declaring that it ‘could have been the difference’ in their first encounter.
Usyk overcame distinct physical advantages to chop down ‘The Gypsy King’ and put an end to both his undefeated record and reign as WBC champion, hurting the Briton in the ninth before banking the later rounds and claiming a split-decision win.
Despite the magnificence of the Ukrainian, credit has also been given to Fury for proving to be his most arduous test to date and only losing out by the barest of margins.
However, Froch told Lord Ping that the outcome could have been reversed if Fury was more selective with his cornermen, urging his countryman to remove his father from the corner and remove some of the voices that were simultaneously instructing him between rounds.
“John Fury interfering in Tyson’s corner could have been the difference between winning and losing. His coach Sugar Hill knows everything about the game, he was trying to give him instructions.
“How can Tyson focus on Sugar Hill and take on those instructions when he’s got John Fury shouting down his ear and talking s*** to him through the ropes, it’s impossible.
“You can’t listen to two people at once. That could have been the difference between winning and losing in a close fight, that interference in the corner could have cost Tyson the fight.
“I think John has played his role well to sell the fight but he’s stepped over the mark when he headbutted that kid, so I don’t see the need for John Fury to be involved going forward, causing trouble. I don’t see the benefit to Tyson.
“When you’ve got a bad egg in the camp, you have to get rid of it. John needs to give his son a wide berth because he was a negative distraction.
“He was not a positive addition to that camp, I don’t think he brings anything to the table for Tyson. And I think if Tyson is serious about having a chance to beat Usyk in the rematch he needs to tell his dad to f*** off.”
According to his promoter, Frank Warren, Tyson Fury will in fact make use of the two-way rematch-clause and push for a chance of vengeance against boxing’s fifth four-belt multi-weight undisputed champion, in a clash that will see Fury fight in Riyadh for a third time in a row.
Boxing Social is now on WhatsApp! Join our channel by clicking here and getting all the latest boxing news direct to your phone.