Tyson Fury’s ever-candid father John has revealed that he thinks his son’s style is ‘no good’ for his upcoming opponent, Oleksandr Usyk.
As the first undisputed fight in 24 years approaches on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, predictions are flying in from the whole boxing industry. One shock admission, though, has come from the British WBC and Lineal champion’s father who has warned that he thinks there has been a decline in his son’s performances.
Critics would point to his lacklustre showing against the boxing novice Francis Ngannou in October when he took a points wins after being knocked down in the third. John Fury is never one to shy from the truth and has in the past called for Tyson to change trainers in order to reach his full potential.
Speaking to the Metro via FreeBets, Fury has now said he worries the fight with IBF, WBO and WBA champion Usyk has come too quickly.
“The 17th February is the date they have got to work towards. But in my opinion, Tyson needs a bit more time to get his conditioning right and his weight right. For me it looked like he had lost 20lbs of muscle last time. Something was wrong.”
He went on to claim that he has seen worrying signs in his son’s last three fights.
“For my money, his last three fights, I have seen a bit of decline. Not a decline in ability but a decline in strength, power and physical condition. I don’t know what they are doing up there, you have to address it. He didn’t look himself out in Saudi.”
John has always said Tyson should use his natural size advantages but has also said he needs to call on his slick natural boxing ability next time out.
“He would have been better boxing off the back foot, slipping and sliding. Against the old Tyson, Ngannou wouldn’t have landed a glove on him. The style I am seeing is no good, it won’t be any use boxing Usyk like that, just stood in front of him. You have to be clever and agile, as much as he [Usyk] is. But unless you are trained to do that, what can you say?”