Former boxing world champion George Groves has revealed how Tyson Fury approached him upset about his Oleksandr Usyk fight prediction.
The fight between WBC heavyweight world champion Fury and rival champion Usyk was supposed to take place early this year but has faced delays, with an agreement believed to be a ‘long way off’.
Former WBA (Super) super-middleweight holder Groves retired after losing his title to Callum Smith in 2018. The boxing star has controversially tipped Usyk to beat Fury and labelled the Ukrainian the ‘best heavyweight in the world’. However, his comments seem to have upset the Gypsy King who confronted him about his view.
READ MORE: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk fight could be in England but agreement ‘long way off’
Groves previously told Boxing UK : “You’ve asked me the question that I have the unpopular opinion on. I’m such an Usyk fan. I don’t know if he is big enough to challenge Fury, if Fury’s really on it and up for it. But, when it comes to ability, Usyk’s the best heavyweight in the world by a country mile, in my opinion. I don’t know. I’ll just go Usyk ‘cos I’m an Usyk fan boy.”
Despite being the smaller fighter, Usyk showed his boxing prowess to beat Anthony Joshua twice for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles. The former cruiserweight has an unbeaten professional record of 20-0 and recently posted a picture of his toned physique and appeared to fat shame Fury by nicknaming him “belly”.
(Image: Top Rank via Getty Images)
Who will win when Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section
Groves’ fight prediction has been heard by the Gypsy King who asked him to explain his decision. Talking to Pro Boxing Fans, Groves says he was put on the spot by Fury.
He said: “I saw Tyson the other day and he said, ‘why are you picking Usyk and not picking me?’. I said, ‘someone’s got to go with the other guy, Tyson’. Why not, eh? Keep it entertaining. Keep it interesting. It might be Usyk’s toughest fight to date, but what a fighter. And Tyson Fury, what a fighter.”
Fury is heavily backed domestically to beat Usyk with Ricky Hatton believing the British heavyweight is “better in every area” than his rival. The intrigue around the heavyweight unification fight is set to draw the ‘biggest purse in boxing history’ if the bout takes place in the Middle East.
READ NEXT: