Hearn: Fury looks ‘pretty old’

Eddie Hearn says Tyson Fury “He looked quite old” during media training this week, noting how he has aged ahead of his rematch with WBA, WBC and VNO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) on Saturday, December 21 in Riyadh.

Although Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) is only 36 years old, to some fans he looked like someone in his 50s or early 60s during the build-up to the rematch with Usyk. It’s not just the beard. The punishment both fighters received in their previous fight was severe, but it seems to have taken a lot more out of their Gypsy King, causing them to look aged.

Fury’s physical condition

It’s Fury’s face and body. He looked well beyond his chronological age of 36, which could be a problem for him as Usyk hasn’t aged since their May 18 fight. He wants to knock out Fury to finish him off and prevent the referees from accomplishing that.

The promoter, Hearn, has no dog in this race and can tell it like it is. He says that Fury is “not a young man anymore,” which is an understatement.

“I know he’s got the rhythm and everything, but I thought Tyson looked quite old in training to be honest,” Eddie Hearn told BBC 5 Live Sport, noting how Tyson Fury appeared to have aged since losing to Alexander Usyk. May 18. “He is no longer a young man.”

“He’s 36 years old,” Steve Bance said of Fury.

“He is not a natural athlete. “You’re not going to see him doing his yoga and massages every day, like he’s totally taking care of himself,” Hearn said of Fury. “But he is a natural fighter. That’s the difference. It’s not manufactured, but it’s not an athlete either. He doesn’t move like that.”

The lifestyle of a gypsy king

Fury’s habit of packing on pounds between fights may contribute to his physical decline. British great Ricky Hutton was heavy between fights, put on weight, then had to take it off at training camp. His career may have been dramatically cut short. He retired at 34, which is close to where Fury is.

“I think his body will break down faster than someone who has lived a complete life,” Hearn said of the “Gypsy King.” “Usik, I think he’s an athlete, and I think he could last a little longer.” Fury is like a fighter with instincts, impulses and that’s what makes him dangerous.

“He doesn’t look like he’s supposed to be good, but he’s really good because he’s been fighting since he was little,” Hearn said of Fury.

“Tyson Fury looked pretty old.”@EddieHearn looks ahead to yes #UsikFuri2 pic.tvitter.com/VcVhvKsvhid

— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) December 20, 2024