Tyson Fury invites Wayne Rooney to spar ahead of potential Usyk fight
Rooney #Rooney
Wayne Rooney insists Tyson Fury will never be beaten and called for King Charles III to give the Gypsy King a knighthood.
And Fury, has responded by joking that the Manchester United legend, and former schoolboy boxer, would make a great sparring partner.
Rooney, England’s record goal scorer, was in attendance as Fury brutally stopped Derek Chisora in a one-sided heavyweight world title fight on Saturday night.
Fury’s trilogy fight with his old rival ‘Del Boy’ quickly became a non-contest as the undefeated champion proved that he was a class above.
Fury then called out Oleskandr Usyk in the ring for an undisputed battle. Rooney, who comes from a boxing family, is a huge combat sports fan, was effusive in his praise of Fury after his latest convincing triumph.
Wayne Rooney calls for Tyson Fury to be knighted
The current DC United manager cannot see Usyk getting the better of Fury, and called for the 34-year-old to be knighted for his incredible boxing achievements.
“He’s the best we’ve seen for a long time,” Rooney said. “I don’t think anyone will beat him. I think he’s an absolute legend, what he’s done for boxing. He’s entertaining. His skills are incredible….His mentality is incredible.
“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. He epitomizes everything that boxing is.”
What next for Tyson Fury?
Huge victories over Wladimir Klitschko in Germany and Deontay Wilder in the United States form the basis of Rooney’s theory. Fury had wanted a unification fight with Usyk before the end of the year.
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When the Ukrainian stated that he would not fight again until 2023, and a match-up with Antony Joshua failed to materialise, the “Gypsy King” opted to face Chisora. Usyk, the holder of IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA belts, is set to prove a far tougher test for Fury, who plans for a busy 2023.
And he responded to Rooney’s praise by suggesting that the 120 times capped striker would make a great sparring partner. And giving another barb to Usyk over his size:
“Wayne Rooney is a proper legend, and I grew up watching him as a youngster for England and United. So, that’s amazing. Amazing speech from him,” said Fury when speaking to talkSPORT.
“He’s a massive boxing fan, he comes from a boxing family as well. 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.”
However, Fury insists that a knighthood is not something which he has thought about. “As daft and bizarre as this might sound to people, I’m really happy with who I am,” he added.
“I’m the people’s champion. I don’t really need some accolade, award, or promotion to let me know who I am, what I do, or who I am inside. I know that I don’t really need a claim to say, ‘Oh, he’s a Sir or he’s a whatever.’”
WBC champion Fury is now expected to face Usyk next in the first undisputed heavyweight unification clash of the four-belt era.
According to Usyk’s promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, the fight is being targeted for a date between February 18 and March 4 in the Middle East.