Tyson Fury claims his biggest advantages over Usyk WON’T help him win mega-fight as he reveals key factor to victory
TYSON FURY has claimed the height and reach advantages he possesses over Oleksandr Usyk aren’t guaranteed to guide him to victory in their Saudi showdown.
The pair will vie for all the heavyweight marbles on May 18 in the division’s first undisputed title fight in nearly 25 years.
EPATyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will throw down for all the heavyweight marbles later this month[/caption]
EPAFury has significant height and reach advantages over the Ukrainian[/caption]
GETTYThe Gypsy King insists they’ll matter little in the Saudi straightener[/caption]
Fury, 35, is the bookies favourite going into the desert dust-up – with many believing Usyk’s height and reach disadvantages will work against him.
But The Gypsy King told Queensberry Promotions: “It won’t come down to, ‘He’s bigger than me or he’s smaller than me.
“I think it will come down to who wants it most on the night.
“If he wants it more than me, he will win and if I want it more than him, I’ll win, but either way I think we’re in for a real treat.”
Usyk’s shot at undisputed heavyweight glory comes after back-to-back points wins over Anthony Joshua and a ninth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois.
Fury said of the Ukrainian: “He’s proved he can mix it with the big heavyweights, he’s beat Joshua and Dubois.
“They’re pretty big heavyweights.
“I’m messing with an elite fighter who’s got more than boxing ability, he’s stubborn and wants to win like I do.
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TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT
“We both have talent, we both have good attributes and bad attributes, it will come down to who wants it most on the night.”
Fury has put down Usyk at nigh-on every opportunity throughout the near three-year-long build-up to their unification bout.
But he’s seemingly changed his tune on the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, who he’s likened to the great Evander Holyfield.
The WBC heavyweight king said: “Usyk is a bad man.
“He’s a real bad man and any underestimation of Oleksandr Usyk – you’d be a mug.
“I’m training hard for him, I’m doing everything I can, I respect Usyk as a man.
“I respect his career as well, he’s been Olympic champion, he’s had 350 amateur fights or something.
“And he’s been an undisputed cruiserweight champion, and he’s a unified heavyweight champion. So, you have to respect that.
“I’m not fighting a guy that’s had 14 and won 11, I’m fighting the real deal, as real a deal as Holyfield.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Inside the Gypsy King’s royal court
TYSON FURY is one of the biggest characters in sport.
The two-time heavyweight champion is not known for pulling his punches and lets both his fists and mouth do the talking.
Fury has seven children with wife Paris and recently hinted another is on the way.
Their family life is set to hit the screen again with season two of At Home With The Furys being filmed for Netflix.
The Gypsy King is Love Island star Tommy’s older brother.
He is heading for a £200million showdown with bitter rival Anthony Joshua and on track to become boxing’s first billionaire.
But daughter Venezuela has taken a cheeky pop at her dad for his bargain-hunting ways.
Despite boasting a monster car collection, he can often be seen pottering around town in a VERY modest motor.
Fury has opened up on his mental health struggles and shared insights into the diet behind his incredible body transformations.
As well as his talents in the ring, the Morecambe mauler is known for serenading fans in the ring and incredible bespoke, and sometimes tongue-in-cheek, fight-week suits.
Check out all our Tyson Fury stories here.
