A former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world has insisted Tyson Fury should pull out of his undisputed fight with Oleksandr Usyk until he’s ‘in better shape.’
The comments come in the wake of Fury’s less-than-impressive showing against former UFC champion and boxing novice Francis Ngannou in Riyadh. The Gypsy King was knocked down in the third round and cautious throughout the rest of the fight, though won a split decision on the cards.
Boxing legend, Riddick Bowe, is one of many on-lookers who was not impressed with what he saw. Speaking to Fight Hype, Bowe advised Fury not to take the contracted fight with Usyk so soon after that poor performance.
“If I was Tyson I would pull out. I wouldn’t fight. Not this early. I would say my hand is hurt. I would postpone or wiggle my way out ’till I get into better shape then see him down the line.”
Bowe went on to speak from experience about the mindset of a fighter who has lost.
“He’s bewildered and he’s disappointed because of this man [Ngannou] who did things to him he never thought could happen. So as a champion, his heart is broken. I know how it feels to be knocked down. All these things happen and you go back and think about it and it made me depressed for a month or so.”
Finally, Bowe had some last words of advice for Fury.
“Get your ass up and running. Whatever you did for this fight do it more so. When you take them lightly you see what happens.”