Fury takes on Usyk in less than two weeks’ time as the heavyweight rivals meet to crown the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999

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Tommy Fury delivers verdict on Tyson v Oleksadr Usyk
08:59, 6 May 2024
Updated10:49, 6 May 2024
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Tyson Fury has finally admitted he considers Oleksandr Usyk the “real deal”.

Fury will take on fellow heavyweight world champion Usyk later this month to crown the division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The Brit has been dismissive of his challenge in front of him, denying that that the former cruiserweight champion will pose a threat to his reign.

But Fury has now conceded he does indeed respect the Ukrainian. “Oleksandr Usyk’s a real bad man and to underestimate Usyk you’d be a mug,” he told Queensberry Promotions. “So I’m training hard for him, I’m doing everything I can. I respect Usyk as a man. I respect his career as well – Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion, unified heavyweight champion.

“You have to respect that, I’m fighting the real deal. I’m looking forward to the challenge. He’s a southpaw, he’s got good footwork, good boxing ability, technically sound. He’s proved he can mix it with the big heavyweights because he’s beat Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

“I’m messing with an elite fighter who’s got more than boxing ability. He’s stubborn and he wants to win like I do. All of the talent and attributes aside, it will come down to who wants it most on the night. If he wants it more than him, he’ll win and if I want it more than him then I’ll win. I just think my will and determination will be more than his on the night.”

Fury won three of the four world titles when he outpointed Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 but was later forced to give up the belts when he descended into a near three-year drink-and-drug-fuelled depression. He returned to beat Deontay Wilder in their rematch to become a two-time champion and now has the chance of hold all four belts.

“To win them all back again would be fantastic,” he added. “To get them all under one banner for the first time in 25 years… there have been a few heavyweight champions since then who haven’t been able to get undisputed. It’s a very special moment, especially for heavyweight boxing to have all the belts on the line and two unbeaten champions.”