Veteran boxer Dereck Chisora recently shared his thoughts on the current state of former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. He believes that Fury needs to bring back the “old, mean” version of himself in order to have a chance at defeating undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk in a potential rematch. According to Chisora, Fury has become “too soft” and he must rediscover the aggressive and dominant fighter that defeated Deontay Wilder twice in Las Vegas in 2020 and 2021.
Chisora emphasized the importance of Fury returning to his former self, stating, “Bring the old Tyson back, the mean guy. Right now, Tyson is too soft. The Tyson we saw in Vegas [against Deontay Wilder] was a bad a**.” He highlighted the lack of excitement surrounding a potential rematch between Fury and Usyk, suggesting that the lack of buzz is due to Fury’s perceived decline in aggression and competitiveness.
Training Concerns
Chisora also raised concerns about Fury’s training camp, specifically pointing out the absence of his coach, Sugarhill, for the majority of the training period. He noted, “The problem is when he’s in training, Sugarhill is gone. Sugarhill comes in the last three weeks. So that’s why.” This lack of consistent coaching and support could potentially hinder Fury’s ability to fully prepare for a high-stakes rematch against Usyk.
While Chisora commended Usyk for his accomplishments in the ring, he also addressed the criticism surrounding Fury’s performance against the Ukrainian champion. He argued that Fury’s struggles against Usyk were not solely due to his perceived softness, but rather the level of competition he faced. Chisora pointed out that Fury’s previous opponents may not have been at the same caliber as Usyk, which ultimately exposed Fury’s vulnerabilities when facing elite competition.
In analyzing Fury’s boxing style, Chisora highlighted the differences in Fury’s approach when fighting Usyk compared to his previous opponents. While Fury found success against Wilder by utilizing a more physical and aggressive strategy, he struggled to overpower Usyk in a similar manner. Chisora emphasized Usyk’s skill and versatility as a fighter, crediting him for his victories over top-tier opponents like Anthony Joshua.
Chisora concluded his assessment of Fury’s current situation by acknowledging the impact of defeat and adversity in the sport of boxing. He recognized Usyk’s dominance in the heavyweight division and the challenges he poses to top fighters like Fury. Chisora’s insights shed light on the importance of self-reflection and adaptability in the face of defeat, as boxers like Fury must continuously evolve and refine their skills to stay competitive at the highest level.