Tyson Fury is a controversial figure in the sport of boxing, beloved by many but questioned by others on his negotiating style and its success rate.
‘The Gypsy King’ has held the WBC Heavyweight title since a 2020 stoppage win over long-reigning champ, Deontay Wilder.
Since then he has defended the belt in their trilogy bout, against mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte and in a one-sided affair with Derek Chisora.
Following that December win, Fury has found it particularly hard to find a dance partner, even despite his various claims of big news on the way.
It’s that narrative that seems to have influenced former cruiserweight world champion, Tony Bellew, when asked by Froch on Fighting to pick three words to describe the man most believe to be the best heavyweight on the planet.
“Big. Dangerous. Contradiction.”
Bellew went on to say that it wasn’t a dig, as he himself was ‘a walking contradiction.’
Whilst the former champion turned pundit didn’t delve into his last chosen word, it can be assumed that he’s referring to failed negotiations of recent times, particularly with Oleksandr Usyk.
Bellew was outspoken on the collapse of that undisputed fight, saying Fury’s legacy was being ‘tainted by bad decisions.’
He also believed at one stage that the four-belt clash not being made after the Ukrainian accepted 30% of the purse split – a number Bellew believed was less than deserved – showed that Fury didn’t want the fight at all.
Fury’s side blame Usyk’s for holding out for a mega-money deal from the Middle East – something that still looks likely for early next year.