Eddie Hearn says Tyson Fury “looked pretty old” during media training this week, noting that he has aged ahead of his rematch with WBA, WBC and WNO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) on Saturday, December 21 in Riyadh.
Although Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) is only 36 years old, to some fans he looked like someone in his 50s or early 60s during the build-up to the rematch with Usyk. It's not just the beard. The punishment both fighters received in their previous fight was severe, but it seems to have taken a lot more out of their Gypsy King, causing them to look aged.
Fury's physical condition
It's Fury's face and body. He looked way beyond his chronological age of 36, which could be a problem for him since Usyk hasn't aged since their May 18 fight. He wants to knock out Fury to finish him off and prevent the referees from scoring him.
The promoter, Hearn, has no dog in this race and can tell it like it is. He says Fury is “no longer a young man,” which is putting it lightly.
“I know he's got a beard and everything, but I thought Tyson looked quite old in training, to be honest,” Eddie Hearn told BBC 5 Live Sport, noting how Tyson Fury had seemingly aged after losing to Oleksandr Usyk on May 18 . “He is no longer a young man.”
“He's 36 years old,” Steve Bunce said of Fury.
“He is not a natural athlete. You're not going to see him doing his yoga and getting massages every day, like he's totally taking care of himself,” Hearn said of Fury. “But he is a natural fighter. That's the difference. It's not manufactured, but it's not an athlete either. He doesn't move like that.”
The lifestyle of a gypsy king
Fury's habit of packing on weight between fights may contribute to his physical decline. British great Ricky Hatton used to get heavy between fights, gain weight and then have to lose it in training camp. His career may have been cut short dramatically. He retired at 34, which is close to Fury.
“I think his body is going to break down faster than someone who's lived a lifetime,” Hearn said of 'Gypsy King. “Usyk, I think he is an athlete and I think he could last a little longer. Fury is like an instinctive, impulsive fighter and that's what makes him dangerous.
“He doesn't look like he should be good, but he's really good because he's been fighting since he was a baby,” Hearn said of Fury.
“Tyson Fury looked pretty old.”@EddieHearn looks ahead #UsykFury2 pic.twitter.com/VcWhvXvhid
— BBC 5 Sport Live (@5liveSport) December 20, 2024