By Jake Tiernan: Tyson Fury took to social media today to taunt Oleksandr Usyk about his recent title defense against Daniel Dubois.
Fury posted a picture of himself with his trunks pulled up high, close to his sternum, mocking IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight champion Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) about having his own trunks high during his fight against Dubois last Saturday night in Wroclaw, Poland.
In the fifth round, Dubois (19-2, 18 KOs) dropped Usyk with a body shot that landed partially on the beltline, but the referee ruled it a low blow.
Usyk’s trunks were pulled up over his belly button, which saved him from being stopped. If his trunks were lower, the body shot from Dubois would have been counted, and he would have been counted out.
Although Usyk insists that he would have gotten back up if the referee Luis Pabon had started counting, as hurt as he was, would have been quickly taken out by Dubois.
🚨 KIT ALERT 🚨 👀 #SoftBelly #FURYNGANNOU #Riyadhseason @francis_ngannou / @usykaa pic.twitter.com/q9gHFn2tCm
— TYSON FURY (@Tyson_Fury) August 31, 2023
Even with the 3+ minutes that Usyk was given to recover from the body shot, Dubois had him close to being dropped again.
Fury will be fighting Francis Ngannou on October 28th on PPV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It’s possible that Fury & Usyk could meet in early next year for the undisputed championship if they can negotiate a deal with the Saudis.
“I personally think Fury is too big. It’s not just being too big. It’s being too big and having the physical gifts to go along with that natural size,” said Paulie Malignaggi to Boxing King Media about his view of Tyson Fury being too big for Oleksandr Usyk.
“Fury is a big guy, who is athletic. He’s a big guy who knows how to maneuver in an athletic fashion and in a fashion where he bullies you up for his size.
“I think Usyk is a good fighter, but I think Fury is the athlete we’ve ever had in boxing. He’s that big, but he’s not cumbersome and clumsy at that size. They’ve not been that gifted.
“It’s also [possible] he gets a little older and starts to fade. He’s 35, but nonetheless, it’s a bit much [for Usyk]. For me, I’d still favor Fury, but it’s not an easy fight. That’s also why I think Fury chose the Ngannou route because everyone already picks him to win, to begin with.
“So, he can only lose if he fights Usyk because everyone is already picking him to win. So picking more money for the easier fight [Ngannou]. When you think about business-wise, it makes sense.
