New theory emerges as reason for Tyson Fury's defeat to Oleksandr Usyk as trainer gives advice for rematch

28/08/2024 14:39

Tyson Fury did not have the ‘fitness levels’ needed to overcome Oleksandr Usyk, according to Dominic Ingle.

Fury was beaten by Usyk on a split decision after going the twelve round distance in May, and was unable to make history with his rival becoming the undisputed heavyweight world champion.

The ‘Gypsy King’ was outclassed on the night with Usyk even threatening to stop the contest in the ninth round as he came on strong despite a slow start.

And Sheffield boxing guru Ingle believes that Fury’s gas tank let him down on the night, but if he was at his best he would have won.

He told Boxing King Media: "For me, Tyson wasn't fit enough because in the rounds that he did get to the top side of Usyk, and there were two or three rounds in mid-fight where he had Usyk in trouble.

“It's just a case of sustaining that for the rest of the fight. He couldn't do it. So that means he wasn't fit enough.

"Tyson Fury, he shouldn't have got beat by Usyk because Tyson Fury at his best, and I don't believe he was at his best, would have beaten Usyk.

“So, for me, he wasn't fit enough. If you're a lighter fighter like Usyk, that's what you've got to do.”

The pair will rematch on December 21, and the boxing trainer believes Fury must try to control the fight using his size from the opening bell.

He continued: “You've got to try and gas the bigger guy. Keep him under pressure and keep him working; keep them throwing shots when you're not actually doing anything.

“That's what Usyk did. He pressured him and made Tyson do things that he shouldn't have been doing.

“Tyson should have been nice and calm and kept it under control, but he didn't.

"He kind of worked to what Usyk was doing instead of controlling the fight himself and making Usyk fight the way he wanted to fight. Tyson has enough ability to keep it under control.

“He didn't do it because he didn't have it in the tank; he didn't have the reserve when he needed to step on the gas to subdue Usyk. He couldn't.

"Tyson, realistically, shouldn't have been out on his feet against Usyk. He shouldn't have gotten anywhere near him.

“With the height and reach Tyson's got, he didn't utilise it properly to keep him long and away.”

Fury insisted he had done enough to win after the fight, but ultimately came up short in the first loss of his professional career.

He will get an immediate opportunity at revenge, and has already returned to the gym to begin his quest.

Usyk has never been beaten in his professional career, and it will be formidable task for Fury to overcome.

A win for the Briton could see him earn another huge set of paydays against Anthony Joshua, if his rival beats Daniel Dubois next month.