Tyson Fury Takes a Playful Dig at Anthony Joshua's Comeback Strategy
Tyson Fury, the renowned 'Gypsy King', is set to make a highly anticipated return to competitive boxing next weekend. However, the Morecambe fighter could not resist a cheeky and playful dig at his long-time rival, Anthony Joshua, regarding Joshua's recent team-up with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury's Comeback and Joshua's Unlikely Partnership
Fury retired from the sport last year following back-to-back defeats to Usyk, but he performed a sensational retirement U-turn just months later. He is scheduled to face Arslanbek Makhmudov, the bear-wrestling heavyweight, on April 11 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Meanwhile, just over a month after Fury's comeback, Usyk is also due to return to the ring, taking on kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23.
Training alongside the two-time undisputed champion Usyk is Anthony Joshua. The two have struck up an unlikely partnership recently, with Usyk helping Joshua prepare for his knockout win over Jake Paul in December. Joshua was due to fight again earlier this year but was involved in a tragic crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his two close friends, Sina Ghami and Lateef 'Latz' Ayodele. The Brit is now back in the gym and has once again enlisted Usyk's help, a move that has not gone down well with Fury.
Fury's Social Media Verdict
In a video uploaded to Instagram, Fury, who was seen training with his good friend Joseph Parker, offered his verdict on Joshua's link-up with the Ukrainian. "You got (Oleksandr) Usyk and (Anthony) Joshua teaming up. Two f****** sausages, fruits, with their masks on training," he began. "And you got me and my boy (Joseph Parker) here. The two best drinkers, two best partiers in the game. Ain't no better than us. Ol' Pablo J, Pablo J and Tyson Montana. Let's go! Git up!"
Despite the rather tongue-in-cheek post, it is evident that Fury is clearly taking his return seriously. However, his comeback has not been plain sailing, following accusations by his own father, John Fury, who claims his son has not been the same since his three fights with Deontay Wilder.
Father's Concerns and Future Challenges
"I think he's past his best," Fury Sr told Playbook Boxing. "I'm a no-filter kind of guy - I say it how I see it. I love him, but there are too many people patting him on the back and telling him things that aren't true, building him up like he's invincible. He's not and he hasn't been for a while."
He added, "Tyson has been gone since the Deontay Wilder fights, they finished him. Wilder completely done him. He's not got a leg underneath him. He's took a lot away from Tyson. Makhmudov is a problem for Tyson. I am the first one to say it. Listen, I understand now that Tyson is testing himself. But, I can tell you now, his legs aren't there anymore. I understand the only way he will believe that and see that is when the first bell rings."
As the boxing world watches closely, Fury's return and his ongoing rivalry with Joshua continue to generate significant interest and speculation among fans and analysts alike.
