John Fury believes Tyson would have been KO'd by Usyk if it wasn't for his advice

John Fury reviews the dramatic ninth round between Tyson and Usyk

Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KO) would’ve been knocked out by Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KO) in their first fight in May 2024, according to John Fury, if it wasn’t for his great advice.

Tyson's 59-year-old father, John Fury, told SecondsOut: “Well, if it wasn't for me in his corner he'd be knocked out. Simple as that. He was listening to the wrong instructions and got caught going to the left of a southpaw. I'm a southpaw, you don't go to the left on me because I'll catch you.

"He was listening to ill-advice, too many people in the corner and I'm his father, if it wasn't for me, he not only stayed in the fight, he won the 11th; he shared the 10th because his legs were gone in the 10th.

“He was a miracle man to get out the ninth round, but it was me who kept him in there. If it had been left to them, he'd have been knocked out."

Their first fight hung in the balance as the action ebbed and flowed, and see-sawed back and forth. When it came down to it, it was the crucial knockdown in round nine that proved the difference on the scorecards. Without that 10-8 round, the epic undisputed match would have been ruled a draw. Instead, Usyk triumphed on a split decision to become this century's first-ever undisputed heavyweight champion.

In their rematch, last December, Usyk was able to pull away down the stretch, after Tyson dominated the early rounds, to win 116-112 on all three scorecards.

Fury has called for a trilogy with the Ukrainian, but the now-unified champion is preparing to face IBF titlist Daniel Dubois on July 19 in London in another undisputed heavyweight showdown.

Tyson has revealed he is back in the gym with trainer SugarHill Steward, preparing for a ring return, but it remains to be seen whether that will be against long-term British rival Anthony Joshua, who is about to have surgery on an injury, or his only conqueror, Usyk.

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