As the fallout continues from Tyson Fury’s fight with Francis Ngannou, one heavyweight contender has now claimed he is ‘too inconsistent’ to be considered the best of a generation.
Fury has been enjoying a run as the stand-out heavyweight champion.
His draw and two wins against fearsome American puncher Deontay Wilder, plus wins over the likes of Wladimir Klitschko, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte all made him a favourite in the marquee division against any opponent.
However, his struggles with MMA champion turned boxing debutant Ngannou in a huge event as part of Riyadh Season in October now has many people questioning whether Fury is beginning to slow.
He was knocked down in the third and not able to pull away from Ngannou as many thought he would, ultimately winning a close split decision after ten rounds.
Speaking to Seconds Out, heavyweight contender Michael Hunter has now had his say on where Fury is at.
“He’s super strong, a mammoth of a man, a fighter too, but that [performance] lets you know what class he’s in. If that was Lennox Lewis [in with Ngannou] or Holyfield they would have out him out. There’s a level, and you seen it. Tyson Fury didn’t do that. He can touch the top level but he’s not really consistent.”
Hunter then compared Fury with Oleksandr Usyk, who he is contracted to fight next in an undisputed fight, rumoured to be taking place in February 2024 in Saudi Arabia.
“Usyk’s very consistent. He fights at a high level every time. His fights are not up and down like Fury’s. Fury’s been dropped several times. He’s had several downfalls. For them to even consider him the best… It’s really the peoples’ fault for letting themselves get tricked.”
Fury will be hoping to raise his levels ahead of that historic fight if he is to truly secure his boxing legacy. As for Hunter, fans would just like to see him fight a top contender after years of frustration and postponed bouts.