Tyson Fury has hit back at corner criticism that emerged after his first-ever boxing defeat to Oleksandr Usyk.
‘The Gypsy King’ was beaten via split decision by the undefeated Ukrainian in May, but is now aiming to exact revenge as their rematch on December 21 edges closer.
Fury believed he did enough to overcome Usyk — scoring himself ahead on his own scorecard — and believes he doesn’t need to change much in order to beat the unified champion.
Usyk dropped the Brit in the ninth round and left Fury wobbling around the ring on unsteady legs en route to his split decision victory.
Many boxing fans called for the former two-time champion to make changes, especially to his corner where his dad — John Fury — joined Andy Lee and Sugar Hill Steward.
“Listen, people can have opinions and what people want to say,” Fury said in a face-off with Usyk on TNT Sports, recorded after the pair met in their October press conference.
Usyk entered the press conference dressed as the protagonist from the popular video game series ‘Hitman’ and asked Fury to sign a picture from their first fight in what was a bizarre encounter.
“But at the end of the day they’re not in there doing the fighting,” Fury continued. “So, It’s really unimportant what other people think of what was going on in my corner.
“If I’m happy then the world’s happy, and I’m happy.”
Usyk was asked by host Steve Brunce if he felt Tyson was tiring in the ninth round and could finish the fight.
The Ukrainian simply laughed and said: “No, I know he’s a very smart fighter and recovers very fast.”
Fury followed up with his thoughts during the brutal ninth round that had him staggering around the ring.
“I’m in the fight, I’m thinking: ‘Coming on, why am I not falling over?” he said.
“It’s a world heavyweight title fight, undisputed, at least a man’s got to go down to the floor.
“As someone like me who’s been down loads and gets back up, at least give me one chance.”
Fury will ultimately be the underdog going into the pair’s December rematch and it will likely be a tough task to overturn his defeat.
He insists things will be kept largely the same for the highly anticipated bout and has flown out to Malta to continue his training camp.
Former world champion Billy Joe Saunders, who is friends with ‘The Gypsy King’, has provided insight into Fury’s preparations and believes that a more expansive and better game plan is now in place.
“Listen, I’ve been keeping a close eye and I’ve been talking to his nutritionist Greg Marriot,” he told talkSPORT’s White & Jordan.
“His weight is looking good and his sparring is going well and he’s looking good.
“I think the game plan they’ve got now for this fight after speaking with Tyson the other day makes a lot more sense.
“It makes a hell of a lot more sense to me, the game plan last time was pickey-pokey and running around.
“It was about showing off in the ring and I think he was enjoying himself a bit too much.
“He let Usyk back in it, but this time I don’t think Usyk will get back in the fight if Tyson is up in the first six rounds this time.
“Definitely not.”
