Boxing
Fury rips into world heavyweight champs in blistering rant
Joshua vs. Prenga: Only on DAZN PPV - Saturday
It is safe to say Tyson Fury is not impressed by the current crop of world heavyweight champions.
Ahead of his warm-up bout with Mariusz Wach on Friday, the former unified kingpin gave a blistering assessment of the title-holders — two of which benefitted from Oleksandr Usyk’s decision to relinquish his belts.
Murat Gassiev was elevated to full WBA champion and Agit Kabayel was handed the WBC strap when Usyk stepped aside, with the duo joining WBO boss Daniel Dubois at the top table.
But while the IBF gold remains vacant, Fury has given a brutal assessment of the men who now hold the belts he once possessed.
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He blasted: “All those men have been gifted world titles. They never actually fought anyone to get one.
“Kabayel, gifted a world title. Gassiev, gifted a world title. How could you compare them to me?
"They're in their own little group and I am f--king on top of the Empire State Building. They have got f--k all I want. They do not have any money.
“I have already had all the belts. And their names... they are not even high record names.
“Like, who knows who these people are? I know they are only just starting out their careers, most of them are a few years younger than me, but they have got to build their way up. It's going to take years to get there.”
If Fury, 37, beats Wach as expected, his long-awaited showdown with Anthony Joshua will be locked in for later this year — assuming, of course, the latter beats Kristian Prenga on Saturday night.
As for what the future holds after that domestic blockbuster, the ‘Gypsy King’ has hinted that title shots may not be top of his list.
He added: "I want to just keep busy and do me. I paid the price. I have fought four or five world title eliminators. I fought all the top contenders... champions... unifiers and all of that s--t.
“I have earned the right to do what the f--k I want now. Whoever I want to fight from any sport, I can make that fight happen. Because I am the 'GK' and I do what I want."
Regardless of whether the superfight with Joshua finally happens, it is hard to disagree with Fury’s claim that he has earned the right to do as he pleases. Like Usyk, he fully deserves to pick and choose how this chapter of his career plays out.
Joshua vs. Prenga - exclusively on DAZN PPV
Watch Anthony Joshua's hugely anticipated return to the ring versus Kristian Prenga on Saturday, July 25 only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Itauma vs. Hrgovic and Canelo vs. Mbilli PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.
