Buster Douglas has expressed concerns that Tyson Fury “no longer has the strength” to endure powerful punches as he prepares for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk later this year.
The 64-year-old former heavyweight champion believes Fury “gets weak” in the ring, a point highlighted by Fury’s recent first professional defeat. Last month, Fury and Usyk faced off in Saudi Arabia, with the Ukrainian claiming victory by split decision. Fury, who felt he was leading on points, was staggered in the ninth round, leading to his loss. The rematch is scheduled for December 21, with Fury aiming to redeem himself.
Douglas, speaking to Gambling Zone, voiced his doubts about Fury’s ability to handle strong punches. Discussing a potential future fight between Fury and Anthony Joshua, Douglas said, “I speak to my trainer about today’s heavyweights, and he has a low opinion of them. He says they [Fury and AJ] wouldn’t have been in the top 30 in my era, and I have to agree. They have skills, but as far as endurance, I don’t know. They don’t seem to be able to withstand power and aggressiveness.”
Douglas reiterated his concerns, stating that Fury’s strength has diminished, making him vulnerable. “Right now, I think AJ beats Fury. It’s not that Fury is on the decline, he just no longer has that strength to withstand that force. Once you start putting your punches together, he tends to get weak as the fight goes on, and his power levels start faltering. It’s a strong possibility that AJ would knock Fury out. He would definitely take Fury out. It would not go the distance; AJ would knock him out.”
Douglas also mentioned the possibility of an Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight, considering it a 50-50 matchup. “AJ is looking like he’s on a mission, and he’s finally got it together and he’s changed some things.”
Since Fury’s defeat, his camp has been relatively quiet. His brother, Tommy Fury, was recently seen participating in Soccer Aid, where the England XI beat the World XI 6-3 at Stamford Bridge. When asked about Tyson prior to the game, Tommy refrained from commenting extensively on his brother’s recent fight.
Credit: GB News
