George Groves asked by Tyson Fury why he’s predicted Usyk to defeat him

By Boxing News - 02/12/2023 - Comments

By Jim Calfa: George Groves says WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury confronted him recently to question him about why he’s picking IBF, WBA & WBO champion Oleksandr Usyk to defeat him when/if they fight on April 29th.

In a weak response that suggests that Groves was placating the insecure Fury, he told him, “someone’s got to” go with Usyk.

For Fury to be concerned enough about Groves’ pick for him to put his feet to the fire to ask him about his view that’s a sign of worry and insecurity on his part. That could be why he’s on the verge of pricing himself out for the fight.

It might not matter that Groves is picking Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) because the fight still hasn’t been made, and if Fury’s promoters are going to insist on it taking place at Wembley Stadium in London,  the chances of the contest happening are slim.

Fury has gotten away with using a one-dimensional approach to winning in the last three years because his opposition has been too poor to expose his lack of mobility at this stage of his career. In the last three years,  Fury has fought these three limited heavyweights:

  • Derek Chisora
  • Dillian Whyte
  • Deontay Wilder

Against those heavyweights, Fury would throw one punch and immediately grab them and start leaning on them to tire their legs. That approach won’t work against a nimble fighter like Usyk,  who will stay on the move and will prevent Fury from grabbing him.

“I saw Tyson the other day, and he said, ‘Why are you picking Usyk and not picking me?’ I said someone’s got to go with the other guy, Tyson. Why not? Keep it entertaining, keep it interesting,” said George Groves to Pro Boxing Fans about Tyson Fury asking him why he’s predicting Oleksandr Usyk will beat him.

“It might be Usyk’s toughest fight to date, but what a fighter. And Tyson Fury. What a fighter.”

“When it comes to ability, Usyk’s the best heavyweight in the world by a country mile, in my opinion. I don’t know. I’ll just go Usyk because I’m an Usyk fanboy,” said Groves to Boxing UK two months ago.

If Fury tries to ramrod London down the throat of Usyk, he’s not going to get fight, and he’ll be stuck having to face Joe Joyce next unless he goes in the direction of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou.

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