Johnny Nelson, a former world champion, has raised doubts about Tyson Fury and his ability to defeat Oleksandr Usyk. Fury, the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, has been searching for his next opponent ever since he triumphed over Derek Chisora in December.
Despite negotiations for a highly anticipated showdown with Usyk and revived talks with Anthony Joshua, no fight agreements have materialized.
At one point, it appeared that Oleksandr would be Fury’s next challenger, as he agreed to a 70-30 purse split in favor of the “Gypsy King.” However, even those discussions ultimately failed to come to fruition.
Johnny Nelson weighs in on Tyson Fury’s confidence
Johnny Nelson, a former cruiserweight champion and Sky Sports pundit, has refuted the notion that Tyson Fury is running out of potential opponents. Instead, Nelson has suggested that the lineal heavyweight champion might have reservations about facing Oleksandr.
Despite ongoing discussions and failed negotiations with other contenders, Nelson believes that Fury’s hesitation to face Usyk could stem from his uncertainty about the outcome of such a matchup.
“The only reason Tson Fury is struggling to find an opponent is because of Tyson Fury. Pricing yourself out of a fight, making demands that don’t suit anybody else, what do you expect?” Nelson told Seconds Out. “That’s a Tyson Fury problem, it’s nobody else’s problem.
“I’m struggling to believe anything he says. Until it’s signed, sealed, and delivered, I don’t care what he says. Tyson Fury has proved he is the best fighter in the world. I think he beats Usyk.
But it sounds like Tyson Fury doesn’t believe he beats Usyk. So all the demands, all the negotiating, all the hustling might be to squeeze out as much as he possibly can financially, and I rate that.”
Usyk, who successfully transitioned from cruiserweight to heavyweight in 2019, currently holds three out of the four heavyweight belts. He is determined to achieve undisputed champion status for the second time.
In August, the Ukrainian is scheduled to face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois, while Fury is eyeing a fight in September.
Looking ahead, Usyk has recently inked a deal with Saudi Arabian promotion company Skills Challenge Entertainment. The company is reportedly planning a significant event Oleksandr the end of the year.
Usyk’s manager, Alex Kassyuk, revealed earlier this month that Fury is expected to receive a “take it or leave it” offer to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion.
Has Fury ever fought Usyk?
Tyson Fury has finally spoken out following the collapse of his anticipated fight against Oleksandr Usyk, placing the blame squarely on his rival’s shoulders.
The ‘Gypsy King’ had his sights set on becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. With a highly anticipated showdown against unified champion Usyk scheduled for April 29 at Wembley Stadium. However, after months of negotiations, the fight has been canceled.
After his victory over Derek Chisora at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in December, WBC champion Fury publicly called out Usyk, who holds the WBA, IBF, and WBO belts.
Weeks later, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum announced that an agreement had been reached for a unification bout. However, it appears that circumstances beyond Fury’s control led to the fight’s demise.
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