Tyson Fury Warned About Abusing His Body Ahead Of The Uysk Fight – ‘No Alcohol, No Drugs’
Vitali Klitschko has told Tyson Fury he needs to stop abusing his body if he is to beat Oleksandr Usyk.
The duo will square off for the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship on May 18. The fight was initially set for December 23, 2023, only for Fury to pull out after the Francis Ngannou fight. After that, it was rescheduled for February 17, but the Gypsy King withdrew after a cut in sparring. But Klitschko advised the WBC Heavyweight Champion to keep himself in good condition to beat Usyk.
Fury was previously away from the sport with mental health and substance abuse problems. After his return, he shortly faced Deontay Wilder three times and won the WBC Belt. While he did come out victorious, Fury took punishment in those fights, getting dropped on more than one occasion.
This led to suggestions that Fury was not the same fighter after his below-par performance against Ngannou, who also dropped him. But Klitschko wanted to see a peak Fury, so he advised him to take his training seriously.
Klitschko On Fury
“Not so much junk food, no alcohol, no drugs and good prepare for this fight. Everybody expect very dramatic interesting fight, but nobody in the world can predict the decision of this fight. It’s heavyweight division, every punch make a decision. “And that’s why it will be biggest mistake to say who will be the winner. Yes, of course I keep my fingers crossed for Usyk. I hope Usyk will be winner in this fight and bring WBC belt back to Ukraine. But let’s see,” Klitschko said
One thing which could work against Fury is the recent cut he sustained in sparring against Agron Smakici. The cut over the right eye is expected to take around 1.5 months to heal. But that still leaves the area vulnerable, impacting Fury’s training.
There are suggestions that he will only body spar, which could impact the fight if Usyk targets the eye. Given that the Ukrainian is known for being a precise puncher, there is a chance the cut opens up. Amir Khan was vocal about how Usyk had the advantage coming into this fight.
Khan On Fury
“I just think he’ll just have to body spar, which I think will work against him. So let’s just hope that Tyson is at 100 per cent, it’s not long after that cut they’ve only given him three months. In three months, it usually takes a month and a half to kind of heal but it’s still going to be weak, it’s still going to be weak skin.” I think Usyk has more of an advantage now. Before, he always had an advantage going into this fight but now obviously he’s got more of an advantage now,” Khan stated
Fury cannot afford to pull out again, given that Turki AlalShikh has imposed a $10 million fine on either fighter if they withdraw. But Fury cannot afford to come into the fight anything less than 100 percent, given he is facing a prime Usyk.
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