Tyson Fury is preparing for the fight of his life this month: a rematch with Oleksandr Usyk following defeat in their first encounter.
The Brit was bested over twelve rounds back in May, losing a split decision and the chance to become the division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis.
Fury immediately activated his rematch clause but, speaking to Seconds Out, three-weight world champion Duke McKenzie MBE believes he no longer has what it takes to secure the victory.
“I think Tyson Fury’s legs are completely shot to pieces. We’re not looking at the same Tyson Fury as the guy that went over to win the world titles initially when he beat Klitschko. We’re not looking at the same guy anymore. This guy can’t bounce around the ring for twelve rounds, which he proved in the last fight.
“The fact that he’s putting on weight and he’s coming into the fight even heavier now proves to me yet again he’s saying to himself this is my last roll of the dice. If I’m going out, I’m going out on my shield on my terms.”
McKenzie – who won championships at flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight – gives ‘The Gypsy King’ just a puncher’s chance in this return fight, however says even that is unlikely.
“I don’t think he can claw back the deficit. It’s not happening … This is heavyweight boxing. You’re one punch away from disaster, one punch from victory. Of course Fury can win the fight. He could find he throws a haymaker and knocks Usyk out. But it’s highly unlikely.
“Usyk doesn’t go down unless it’s a low blow. I’ve never seen anybody have him rocked and really hurt. And the one time Tyson Fury did have him hurt, Usyk managed to disguise it and cover it up so that Fury couldn’t maintain the onslaught. He’s too smart for that. And he would’ve learnt from that mistake.”
