Tyson Fury has been told by heavyweight legend Riddick Bowe to pull out of his undisputed world title fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury came close to losing against former UFC champion Francis Ngannou last weekend in Saudi Arabia but managed to scrape out a split decision win after being dropped in the fight. The unconvincing performance against Ngannou, who was making his boxing debut on the night, has led to pundits and former boxers doubting Fury’s chances against fellow heavyweight champion Usyk.
“If I was Tyson I would pull out,” Bowe told Fight Hype. “I wouldn’t fight. Not this early. I would say my hand is hurt. I would postpone or wiggle my way out until I get into better shape then see him down the line. He’s bewildered and he’s disappointed because of this man who did things to him he never thought could happen. As a champion, his heart is broken. I know how it feels to be knocked down. All these things happen and you go back and think about it and it made me depressed for a month or so.”
Usyk was ringside to watch Fury be pushed to the brink by Ngannou, with the Brit getting the nod by just one point on the judges’ scorecards. The undisputed world title clash was expected to take place on December 23 in Saudi Arabia but has now been pushed back to the end of Riyadh season as February is a more likely date.
Fury was left with a black eye and grazed forehead after his win as Ngannou barely had a scratch on him, despite being illegally elbowed in the face by his rival. Cameras picked up Usyk’s shocked reaction when Fury was dropped and the Ukrainian explained why he was shouting instructions for his rival from ringside.
“At the knockdown, I said, ‘Woah, woah, woah, woah, woah, Francis, be careful, please!’ I said, ‘Tyson, jab, jab, move, jab!’. It’s true, I was a little bit nervous that our fight was possibly in jeopardy. I even started to shout out to him some small things, like: ‘Use your jab, jab him faster.’ That’s it,” Usyk told Boxing King Media.
“It might look weird when my future opponent is fighting and I’m here cheering him on and backing him, shouting some tips for him. It looks weird probably, but from the other point of view. Let’s say myself, my team, my country, the whole world wants to see the fight happening, so that’s why it’s important we do everything possible to make it happened
