Antonio Tarver is a big fan of The Gypsy King
Betway spoke with Hall of Fame fighter Antonio Tarver who previewed Tyson Fury’s legacy in boxing ahead of his upcoming fights.The former Wotld light-heavyweight champion and Olympian confessed, "I love Tyson Fury!", and added that his colourful character and antics are great for boxing.
Tarver also gave his prediction for the undisputed fight with Usyk, should it ever happen.
Thoughts on Fury’s legacy and the upcoming Usyk fight?
AT: "I love Tyson Fury. He is one of the most interesting characters in the sport and I think someone with a personality like that has done boxing great. When you look at the attention that this fight with Francis Ngannou is getting, and how the boxing world is moving towards the Middle East and investing a lot of money into boxing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more American world champions taking their fights abroad to become more of an international fighter like Tyson Fury.
"When you look at a guy as strong and as power as Francis Ngannou, I don’t know if he hits more powerful than Wilder, but that punch could be a little different. One of those thudding punches you underestimate in terms of power from Ngannou and then when it lands, it’s too late.
"Even in this exhibition fight, it’s how Tyson Fury does it. Does he look good at doing it, is he still the Gypsy King? He could still win and lose in a fight like this because of the performance. People don’t even think this should be a fight because of the experience Tyson Fury has. I don’t know how serious Tyson Fury is taking this, but he has 200 million reasons to get more serious with the Usyk fight in the background.
"I don’t see Tyson Fury having a problem if he goes in there, gets behind that jab, comes in and shows Francis Ngannou that he means business, and isn’t here to play. If so, I think he looks good and does what he wants to do. But if he isn’t in this type of shape physically and mentally to fight off a big strong and determined guy like Francis Ngannou then this fight could get sketchy in parts before it’s over. If Tyson Fury really delves in, everything is in Tyson Fury’s hands in how this fight turns out."
Fury-Usyk prediction?
AT: "I can see Usyk landing punches, but I don’t know if he has that KO power to close the show against Tyson Fury. If he doesn’t, I think Tyson’s reach and size advantage wears down Usyk before the 12 round distance. That’s Tarver’s take right now, I’m not putting the training camp and how they look in preparation under the microscope, that could change but that’s how I see it."
If Fury beats Usyk and retires, where does he rank in the heavyweight greats?
AT: "If you retire undefeated, that’s a great thing but because you’ve lost to great champions it doesn’t mean you don’t stay on that great list. When you look at Muhammad Ali, he had losses on his record but lost to some great legendary fighters but when you look at the body of work inside and out of the ring, I don’t think you can put anyone above him for what he stood for in sports, boxing and life.
"If anybody is right there, it’s Floyd Mayweather because of the way he did it and went about his business you have to respect that. But as a heavyweight, if Fury retires undefeated and beats Usyk by knockout then he’s beaten Wilder and retires after Usyk, you have to put him in the top five of all-time fighters, especially all-time heavyweights if he retires undefeated.
"He beat Wladimir Klitschko and has then reigned for so long. He’s got to be up there; I can’t put him above of Ali and then Mayweather but then you’ve got to look at Tyson Fury for his dominance and making all the money he’s about to make. He will be one of the most successful fighters ever."
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