Eddie Hearn has shed light on the speculated heavyweight clash between WBC champion Tyson Fury and the IBF/WBA/WBO titlist Oleksandr Usyk. Hearn reveals that Usyk, still nursing injuries from his August bout against Daniel Dubois, might not be prepared for the December 23rd showdown. Despite this, the lucrative offer from the Saudis could persuade Usyk to step into the ring, but his fitness remains questionable.
Fury, on the other hand, may take advantage of Usyk’s unavailability to counter critics who claim he’s been evading the Ukrainian. A vocal section of the boxing community believes Fury agreed to the Usyk fight solely because of the significant monetary offer by the Saudis. They argue that since his victory over Deontay Wilder in 2021, Fury’s choices of opponents, such as Francis Ngannou, Dereck Chisora, and Dillian Whyte, lack ambition. Some even suggest that Wilder’s punches in their third fight might have dimmed Fury’s competitive spirit.
Hearn also expressed reservations about the British Boxing Board of Control sanctioning Fury’s upcoming fight against MMA fighter Francis Ngannou. This match, slated for October 28th in Saudi Arabia, is a crossover event many purists believe diminishes the integrity of professional boxing. While the bout will reflect on Fury’s record, the WBC title will not be at stake.
Additionally, Hearn emphasizes the genuine boxing events he’s promoting, such as the title defense by WBC super featherweight champion O’Shaquie Foster against Rocky Hernandez. Although this contest hasn’t garnered much attention, it reflects the core essence of competitive boxing.
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