There was plenty of chat in the wake of Tyson Fury’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk that instructions from his corner didn’t help him and now Peter Fury has weighed in with his opinion.
The historic undisputed fight in Saudi Arabia saw Usyk get a split decision points to win after a fight that went back and forth throughout. The key moment was in the ninth round when Usyk knocked Fury around the ring and he was eventually giving a standing count.
Speaking to October Red, Peter Fury, who coached his nephew Tyson early on in his career, was asked about the battle.
“I thought it was a good fight, he done the best he can do, and that’s all you can ask for. He is an exceptional world champion Usyk, I’ve always said this guy is a great fighter, he’s the best Tyson has been up against, that’s for sure.
“But it was a close fight, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes, where do you get humbleness from, a loss, and what is a loss? They’re both ok, they both got handsomely paid for it, get back in there and avenge your loss.”
He was then asked directly whether Fury was given the best instructions and game plan.
“He was a big man and he never used his tools. I thought there was a lot wrong with it, but that’s my opinion. I think they got the tactics wrong and the game plan all wrong and that’s what I think of it, but still it was a good fight to watch.
“I can see what people are saying but did Tyson have it in his tank to come out and give an avalanche of shots or was he so tired he was getting through it?”
Peter then reflected on his famous world title win with Fury back in 2015.
“When we fought Wladimir Klitschko, coming into the 12th round I said we’re in a strange country, he’s got all the belts, it’s his network, I think you’re winning it wide but get out there and try and stop him, that’s your call, because we could get robbed on points.”
He then shared what he would have said ahead of the final few rounds in the undisputed fight.
“My advice would have been I don’t care if you’re on one leg and dying, get in there and go out on your back, put it on him, that’s what should have happened in the corner, but that’s just me.”
Peter then went in-depth on the corner of Tyson on the night, and was far from impressed with what he saw.
“There should only be one man in the corner, there shouldn’t be three or four. Some are too emotional in the corner and some are giving the wrong advice. I think the only one that spoke a little bit of sense in the last dying stretch of it was Sugar Hill, who said put it on him.
“When you go into fights, it doesn’t matter who it is, it could be a family member, but you’ve got to give precise clear information, and the thing I always say to the fighter is ‘are you listening, do you understand what I’ve just told you to do?’
“There were too many people, but maybe Tyson wants that I don’t know, it’s been years since dealings with me. I don’t know what the situation is but clearly for me the game plan was wrong and only one should be speaking. How can you listen to all that? It’s going a bit panicky and it’s all over the place.
“I’ve always said I can’t be bought in boxing. If someone is talking in the corner, I’d say shut your f**king mouth now or get out the back. It’s happened before.
“I’m not having anything go on in that corner. You’re the bucket man, you wash the gumshield out, you wipe his head down, do not speak. That’s their instruction, and if they speak, when they get back to the dressing room, sacked on the spot. You’ve got to have a professional corner.”
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