Tyson Fury is preparing to spar with Wayne Rooney as he prepares to take on Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated bout in 2023.
The World’s heavyweight title-holder will unify his WBC crown with Ukraine’s WBA, IBF, and WBO champion, Oleksandr Usyk.
While awaiting the fight, Tyson Fury has said he will spar with Manchester United record goalscorer and DC United head coach Wayne Rooney.
Rooney has reportedly agreed to the challenge to help the “Gypsy King” prepare for the proposed bout with Oleksandr Usyk.
Tyson Fury humbled Derek Chisora this month at the Tottenham Stadium to retain his belt, but he took 10 rounds to secure the victory, which is a significant boost to the anticipated fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
The feared Brit king of the ring popularly referred to as the “Gypsy King,” said Wayne Rooney would help him get ready for the bout against Usyk.
Tyson Fury confirmed that he has spoken with Wayne Rooney to assist him in getting ready for the bout.
Dismissing any joke about the Rooney call, Tyson Fury confirmed Rooney will be in the camp with him for at least four weeks to assist him before the bout.
“I spoke to Wayne, and he’s well up for it,” Fury said. “We’re going to bring Wayne in for preparation for Oleksandr Usyk. No [it’s not a joke], very serious. He’s going to come into camp for about four weeks to help me.”
Wayne Rooney is not an obscure figure when it comes to boxing. During his years as a professional footballer, the former Manchester United and Premier League forward was a renowned boxing fan and is still a passionate, rowdy fan of punch and defend sports.
Wayne Rooney rarely misses a boxing match in the UK, even now as a football manager. He is a passionate fan of Tyson Fury and was present during Fury’s demolition of Derek Chisora early this month.
Speaking after Tyson Fury and Derek Chisora fight, Wayne Rooney said Tyson Fury remains the best athlete boxing has produced in a long time, and his records may not be matched soon.
Rooney challenged other boxers when he said the Brit is an indomitable and unconquerable boxer and has redefined the boxing ring with his mentality and entertaining skills.
“I think he’s the best we’ve seen in a long time, and I don’t think anyone will beat him. I think he’s an absolute legend for what he’s done for boxing. He’s entertaining, his skills are incredible, and his mentality is incredible”, Rooney said.
Wayne Rooney added Tyson Fury had done enough to deserve a knighthood, given his exploits so far in the boxing ring.
“If I’m being honest, I probably think he should be knighted because he hasn’t been afraid to go abroad, he’s won titles abroad, defended them abroad, and epitomises everything that boxing is”, the football icon said of Fury.
Responding to Wayne Rooney’s honest assessment of his character and blueprints in the sport, Tyson Fury said he hoped to spar with the 37-year-old and said he would need to practice against “someone smaller” as he warmed up for the Oleksandr bout.
Tyson Fury described Wayne Rooney as a proper legend, and he has been following the football star since his days at Manchester United and the England national team.
“Wayne Rooney is a proper legend,” he said. “And I grew up watching him as a youngster for England and United. So, that’s [an] amazing, amazing speech from him.”
Fury picked on Wayne Rooney’s roots in boxing, saying his family had an endearing love for boxing. Fury then called to spar on the Manchester United forward as he needed “someone smaller” to spar with.
“He’s a massive boxing fan, he comes from a boxing family as well”, he said. “So, hopefully, we can have a little spar in the future sometime. I do need someone smaller to prepare for Usyk. Wayne, if you’re listening, get on the blower, son.”
There is no fixed date for Tyson Fury’s proposed fight with Oleksandr Usyk yet. Tyson Fury had called for the fight seeking a title unification, but Usyk said he needed time after he had just finished a fight with Nigeria-born two-time former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
However, there are rumors that the fight will likely hold between February 18 and March 4, 2023.
