Britain¡¯s WBC heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has chosen an unusual sparring partner for a potential fight with Ukraine¡¯s Oleksandr Usyk after ex-Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney agreed to help him prepare for his next bout.
The Old Trafford club¡¯s record goalscorer Rooney, now in charge of Major League Soccer team DC United, is a big admirer of compatriot Fury, who said he was keen to get involved.
¡°I spoke to Wayne last night and he¡¯s well up for it,¡± Fury told ITV at the weekend. ¡°But he¡¯s a right-handed person, so he¡¯s got to switch up to be southpaw left-handed.
¡°So we¡¯re going to bring Wayne in for preparation for Usyk.¡±
Asked if he was joking, Fury replied: ¡°No, very, very serious. He¡¯s agreed, so he¡¯s going to come into camp for around four weeks to help me.¡±
The boxer added that he was a big fan of Rooney, who sang Fury¡¯s praises earlier this month after the champion beat Derek Chisora to retain his WBC title.
¡°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,¡± Rooney had told TalkSport.
Fury responded last week, saying he grew up watching Rooney as a youngster for England and United, adding that the forward was a huge boxing fan and comes from a boxing family.
¡°So, hopefully, we can have a little spar in the future sometime,¡± Fury added. ¡°I do need someone smaller to prepare for Usyk. Wayne, if you¡¯re listening, get on the blower, son.¡±
Fury is set to fight Usyk in early 2023, after the Ukrainian retained his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight titles with a split-decision win over Britain¡¯s Anthony Joshua in August.
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