George Groves still doubts Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk will take place.
Fury is set to take on Oleksandr Usyk for all four world title belts on May 18, with the ‘Gypsy King’ having already pulled out of the showdown once after suffering a cut in sparring.
The WBC champion is set to soon resume sparring in his preparations, but doubts are still being raised as to whether Fury’s cut could still pose problems in the fight.
Former WBA super-middleweight champion Groves has insisted Fury could still pull out, and has claimed he would rather be matched up with Anthony Joshua.
He told Betway: “I’ve said since the start – I’ll believe it when I see it. I don’t think Fury has ever fancied the Usyk fight.
“He’s talking about having 10 more fights, but if he loses to Usyk how does that work? It’s a massive risk for him to fight Usyk. He’s probably really hoping that Usyk can’t take a body shot.
When the fight got postponed after the cut, I wasn’t surprised. It gave me the feeling that this fight will never happen.
“I thought to myself, I bet Fury would rather have a bit of Joshua than Usyk because he’ll see that as an easier fight
“The Saudis or the WBC aren’t going to pressure Fury to fight Usyk, so maybe he’s thinking he will go down the Ngannou route again, or fight Joshua.
“That’s the fight everyone really wants to see. I don’t believe if he pulls out he’s going to have to pay a $10million fine. Usyk is probably thinking ‘I don’t know if this guy is going to show up’ because there’s still a chance Fury pulls out.”
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The cut occurred in sparring after he received a rogue elbow from training partner Agron Smakici, over the same eye he suffered a gash during his September 2019 win over Otto Wallin.
He has even received warnings that the cut could reopen again, given he will had had just three months to heal the injury by fight night.
Fury held a press conference in Morecambe, and has reassured the boxing world that he is more than ready to take the showdown with Usyk.
He has also been working hard in training camp, and has shown off a remarkable transformation since his narrow win over Francis Ngannou in October 2023.
The 35-year-old even looked impressive on the pads with his father John Fury, who has been working alongside Fury’s coach Sugar Hill Steward in the gym.
The Briton’s cutman Jorge Capetillo has firmly suggested that he will be okay to fight, and suggested a plan is in place to ensure the cut doesn’t reopen.
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News Summary:
- ‘I don’t think he fancies it’ – Tyson Fury could still withdraw from Oleksandr Usyk fight according to ex-world champion
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