Lead trainer of Joseph Parker and coach of Tyson Fury, Andy Lee, has revealed who he believes to be Tyson Fury’s toughest fight in the heavyweight division.
Fury and Usyk had been in talks throughout 2023 for a showdown for the undisputed heavyweight title – a first ever four-belt unification bout in the division which would ultimately crown the next sole champion after Lennox Lewis in 2000.
After months of negotiations, all hope seemed lost until a shock announcement confirmed that the pair would meet in early 2024, and likely again later in the year due to a rematch-clause.
Lee, who claimed the WBO middleweight title during his own career, told Boxing News that despite the magnitude of the hotly-anticipated clash, Fury’s toughest opponent in the division is one that he has already defeated twice.
“No, it’s Wilder. It’s Wilder, he’s like the final boss, Tyson has completed the game and now he’s doing some bonus levels. Usyk is smaller, older, big amateur career, miles on the clock, just like Tyson.
“They talk about his footwork and his boxing ability, but Tyson’s footwork and boxing ability is as good. He is slick, I love the eastern European fighters because in everything they do, there is method behind it, there’s science behind it, there is no guessing with those guys.
“The feints, the footwork [of Usyk is brilliant], but Tyson has lined up some good sparring partners and he’s well up for this challenge. I’ve never seen Tyson as motivated, even like a year-and-a-half or two years ago when this fight with Usyk was being mentioned, how we would come into the gym, he is going to be up for the fight.”
Lee has just coached Joseph Parker to beat Wilder over the distance, making his tally when coaching against the American three wins and one draw.
Fury-Usyk will go ahead on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, topping what can expected to be another impressive card in the Kingdom as ‘Riyadh Season’ draws to a close.