Tyson Fury should leave boxing for wrestling with the Gypsy King ‘past his best’ ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, according to Carl Froch.
The 36-year-old crashed to the first defeat of his professional career back in May, with Usyk winning via split decision.
The Briton will, however, be hoping to make amends when he locks horns with the Ukrainian for a second time at the end of the year.
Fury has been working hard as he prepares to go at Usyk for a second time, with the veteran convinced he can win their crunch rematch.
Boxing news: Tyson Fury should take up wrestling with the Gypsy King ‘past his best’ ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk, according to Carl Froch
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Yet Froch feels the boxing star should turn to wrestling or another combat sport given he’s now ‘past his best’.
Speaking exclusively to GB News via Casino.org, he said: “I think he could go into cross-over fighting. Potentially a bit of wrestling like he has before.
“It will be difficult for him to completely let go. We’ve seen it from him before when he retired temporarily and then came back.
“If he loses this one, it probably should be the end of his professional boxing career, unless the fight against Anthony Joshua would tempt him in 2025.
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“It sounds like Joshua won’t fight Dubois now, which in my view is a good idea from AJ’s perspective.”
Froch, when asked if Fury is capable of beating Usyk, then added: “It’s heavyweight boxing so he’ll always have a chance.
“Maybe he could go in very slightly heavier, potentially three or four pounds at most. That extra weight could help him without losing any of that fitness.
“Fury needs to be fitter. He has to throw more punches, more consistently, round-after-round. He needs to take it to Usyk from the first bell and be on the front foot.
“If he doesn’t do that and enjoy some early success, then you’d think he’s in trouble.
“He really needs to be ahead on points early or he could end up getting stopped late on if he needs to chase the fight.
“The issue is if he starts well early, he could gas in the second half of the fight. I don’t think he can physically do it for 12 rounds, he’s past his best.
“I know what it’s like to fight at age 35 or 36. I was an elite athlete at the top of my game, and I could have probably still competed at world level at age 40, but not at my best.
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Boxing news: Carl Froch has given Tyson Fury advice as the Gypsy King prepares for his crunch rematch with Oleksandr Usyk
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“You need to learn to change your style, get your defence up and look at your ring craft.
“Bernard Hopkins was a master of it, fighting at the top-level right into his 40s. He could throw great six or seven punch combinations and stay off the ropes.
“He learned how to slow fights down and get the results. He knew how to win those close rounds 10-9.
“Fury has to work out a way to do something similar. He needs to be fit, accurate and avoid getting hit, but Usyk is very good.”
Boxing news: Tyson Fury lost to Oleksandr Usyk back in May
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The rematch between Fury and Usyk will take place on December 21.
Though the first bout was pushed back multiple times, there’s nothing to suggest that will be the case this time around.