Sad Tyson Fury claim ahead of Oleksandr Usyk rematch

Boxing great Duke McKenzie fears Tyson Fury’s “legs are gone” ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

British boxing legend Duke McKenzie fears Tyson Fury’s “legs are completely shot to pieces” ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury attempts to avenge the only defeat in his 36 bouts when he faces Usyk again on Sunday (AEDT) in Saudi Arabia.

But former three-weight champion McKenzie is concerned the fleet-footed Fury who dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 is no more, The Sun reports.

He told Seconds Out: “I think Tyson Fury’s legs are completely shot to pieces.

“We’re not looking at the same Tyson Fury as the guy that went over to win the world titles initially when he beat Klitschko.

Oleksandr Usyk (L) handed Tyson Fury (R) the only loss of his professional career. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine/ AFP)

“We’re not looking at the same guy anymore. This guy can’t bounce around the ring for twelve rounds, which he proved in the last fight.

“The fact that he’s putting on weight and he’s coming into the fight even heavier now proves to me yet again he’s saying to himself this is my last roll of the dice.

“If I’m going out, I’m going out on my shield on my terms.”

Fury, 36, lost his WBC title and undefeated record after 12 classic rounds in Riyadh seven months ago.

Usyk, 37, became the first four-belt undisputed heavyweight champion in history and Fury looks to right his only career wrong.

Oleksandr Usyk (pictured) celebrates his win over Tyson Fury. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

But McKenzie said: “I don’t think he can claw back the deficit. It’s not happening … This is heavyweight boxing.

“You’re one punch away from disaster, one punch from victory. Of course Fury can win the fight.

“He could find he throws a haymaker and knocks Usyk out. But it’s highly unlikely.

“Usyk doesn’t go down unless it’s a low blow. I’ve never seen anybody have him rocked and really hurt.

“And the one time Tyson Fury did have him hurt, Usyk managed to disguise it and cover it up so that Fury couldn’t maintain the onslaught.

“He’s too smart for that. And he would’ve learnt from that mistake.”

- This article first appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission