Billy Joe Saunders believes preparations are going much better for Tyson Fury ahead of his revenge bid against Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury was beaten for the first time in his professional career by split decision against Usyk in their undisputed world heavyweight title clash in May.
The ‘Gypsy King’ controlled early parts of the fight, but Usyk’s relentless work rate proved too much as he managed to edge himself ahead on the judges’ scorecards.
Fury believed he did enough to win, and has vowed not too make to many changes in his pursuit of revenge in their sequel on December 21.
But his friend Saunders, who has spoken to him prior to the meeting later this year, is confident a new strategy is now in place which will be more effective.
“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.”
Fury faced some criticism for his approach to the contest, particularly when acting on advice by the three voices in his corner including father John Fury.
But the British heavyweight lashed back at critics, and believes he actually did enough to have his hand raised.
Verdicts from his coaches later emerged that his preparations were turbulent, as a result of a cut he sustained in sparring.
The cut already delayed the fight as he was forced to withdraw, but also disrupted his training camp in the build-up to the contest.
Fury now faces a huge uphill battle to dethrone the undefeated Usyk, who seems practically invincible at this moment in time.
But one of his coaches Andy Lee, has promised that full preparation will give him much a better chance of overturning the deficit later this year.
“Because of the rearranged date because of the cut, Tyson couldn’t spar,” he told talkSPORT.
“The conditioning and sharpness it took away, and his ability to concentrate and stay ready and sustain attacks.
“It will be different this time because he will be able to spar.
“You can do all of the bag, running, weights but two rounds of sparring is more beneficial. He needs to do sparring and that will improve him.
“I think Usyk will look to feint and come forward, which will force Tyson to engage with him or box and move.
“He couldn’t come forward because he didn’t have the conditioning from not sparring, and he had to take breaks.
“This time round, how he will win it is he will be better conditioned and sharper.
“He can then keep going instead of doing the good work then taking a break and showboating a bit to buy some time.”
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