Tyson Fury fights Oleksandr Usyk once more come December 21 (Image: Getty Images)
UFC commentator and podcast host Joe Rogan as expressed his concerns for ahead of his highly-anticipated rematch with later this month.
‘The Gypsy King’ is eager to redeem himself after suffering his first professional career loss to the Ukrainian in a split-decision victory in Riyadh back in May. The two heavyweight titans are set to clash again on December 21 and, as Fury enters the final stages of his training camp, Rogan has shared his thoughts on the upcoming bout.
The 57 year old commentator suggests that the British heavyweight sensation may not be at his best. Rogan attributes this to the three gruelling fights Fury had with Deontay Wilder, which he believes have taken a toll on him.
Despite never losing to ‘The Bronze Bomber,’ Fury did sustain significant damage. Speaking on his podcast, Rogan stated: “Fury was terrified of Wilder’s power. He got dropped with a furious left hook; he got rocked in the eighth round. Bro, it’s the same thing you see in the Usyk fight. He’s not all there anymore. Those fights with Deontay Wilder took something out of him. 100 per cent.”
With the rematch days away, Tyson Fury, ‘The Gypsy King’, is reportedly set to bulk up significantly for his fight against Usyk. TalkSPORT’s boxing expert Gareth A Davies shared insights, stating: “When Tyson beat Klitschko nine years ago he was a 27-year-old, very light on his feet, he bamboozled opponents with those telescopic arms, his movement and tying fighters up,” Davies explained, “That version went away in the three fights with Deontay Wilder, certainly the second and third fights where he became a bigger hitter at 19 and a half stone. I’m told internally from his camp that is where they intend him to be for Usyk in this fight, 19 and a half stone.”
Fury is charged up to avoid consecutive losses and has declared an aggressive strategy towards his opponent, confidently asserting in an Undisputed interview: “I’m going to go in there with destroy mode,” and admitted his caution in their first clash: “Last time I went to box him, I was being cautious… Anybody can get caught as we have seen in a lot of these heavyweight fights.”
Tyson Fury has vocalised his intentions with fiery determination, saying: “But this time I’m not going for a points decision. I’m going to knock that motherf***er out. For the first time in years, I’m going in there as a challenger, not a champion,” before adding, “And I believe that I’m better as a challenger, always, because I’ve got that goal of achieving something and it’s giving me a fire underneath.”