Former WBO Cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson has spoken to Grosvenor Sport about the upcoming undisputed heavyweight clash between Tyson Fury and Olexandr Usyk – scheduled for 17thFebruary in Saudi Arabia – with a word of warning for Fury.
Last time we saw Fury in the ring, he was tangoing with newbie Ngannou. Let’s just say, Fury’s performance was less ‘world-beater’ and more ‘world… meh’. Nelson, pulling no punches, muses that if Fury was as prepped for Ngannou as he claimed, then maybe, just maybe, his legs have put in their resignation.
“Listen, Fury vowed he was in top shape for Ngannou, but if that’s peak training, I’m a ballet dancer,” Nelson quipped. “If he really did put in the work, then the only explanation is his legs are on their farewell tour. No way should Ngannou have even got a sniff in that fight, if Fury was the fighter he claims to be.”
Nelson’s take? Fury’s training camp tales for Ngannou were as real as a three-dollar bill. “We all got duped. I thought Ngannou was going to bring the apocalypse, but hey, I wasn’t the one in the ring.”
Yet, despite these doubts, Nelson is betting his last dollar on Fury to topple Usyk and seize the undisputed heavyweight throne, a seat that’s been collecting dust since ’99.
“Fury’s the king of the heavyweight hill, no question. But if he slacks off like he supposedly did with Ngannou, he’s toast against Usyk. Train like a beast, and he wins. I’ve always said, Fury’s a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma – too big, too strong, too everything for Usyk.”
Nelson acknowledges Usyk’s skill but sees Fury’s arsenal as the perfect counter. “Fury’s got the tools – unorthodox, quick, towering, and with a boxing brain that’s all about the mental game. He usually wins fights before they even start. But with Usyk, language barriers mean mind games are off the table. Time to let fists do the talking.”