FURY’S CUT GIVES HIM PROBLEMS AGAINST USYK – ‘IT’S GOING TO BE A BLOODBATH’

Tyson Fury’s cutman, Jorge Capetillo, is emphasizing the necessity for extra precautions to prevent his fighter’s cut from reopening ahead of his Undisputed Heavyweight Championship bout against Oleksandr Usyk on May 18. Fury was forced to withdraw from the scheduled February 17 clash with Usyk due to a significant cut over his right eye sustained during sparring, marking the second postponement of the bout after a similar incident in December the previous year.

Concerns have been raised regarding Fury’s training regimen, with suggestions that he should have focused solely on body sparring to mitigate the risk of such an injury. Former Usyk coach, James Bashir Ali, doubts whether the cut will fully heal in time for the May 18 showdown, proposing a more realistic timeline of June. The potential vulnerability of Fury’s injured eye could present a target for Usyk’s team to exploit, prompting Capetillo to devise strategies to navigate Fury safely through the fight.

Capetillo acknowledges the possibility of the cut reopening but remains optimistic about Fury’s readiness for the bout. Despite the typical healing time for such an injury being around 90 days, Fury has had approximately 60 days of recovery, suggesting that with appropriate treatment, he should be fit for the contest. Capetillo emphasizes the importance of prioritizing reach and distance over power punches in Fury’s training, advocating for cautious sparring sessions with protective headgear to minimize the risk of reinjury.

Dereck Chisora, another heavyweight contender, shares concerns about Fury’s cut, urging him to adapt his fighting style accordingly. Chisora believes that Fury must revert to a more defensive, boxing-oriented approach, especially given the lingering vulnerability of his injured eye. With Usyk likely to target the affected area, Chisora anticipates a potentially grueling battle ahead.

Despite the challenges posed by his injury, Fury has a history of defying expectations in high-stakes fights. His remarkable performance against Deontay Wilder, where he not only went the distance but also appeared to have secured a victory despite the fight being declared a draw, serves as a testament to his resilience. If Fury can channel his underdog mentality and adapt his strategy accordingly, there remains a possibility of another historic triumph on May 18.