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BOXING

Tyson Fury to train with Wayne Rooney

The D.C. United coach and former Manchester United player will help Tyson Fury prepare for his fight with Oleksandr Usyk.

Cristina ParraUpdate:
Wayne Rooney in a television talk show about the World Cup in Qatar.

The fight between Oleksandr Usyk (20-0-0, 13 KO) and Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KO) is getting closer to being a reality - all that remains is the official confirmation of the date. The Gypsy King requested this fight a long time ago, and his preparation will be exhaustive. D.C. United and former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney has agreed to train with Fury so that he will be in the best shape possible for his fight with the Ukrainian.

I spoke to Wayne [Rooney] last night and he’s well up for it. 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,” Tyson Fury told the ITV. Rooney, who is a big boxing fan, accepted the offer. After the fight with Dereck Chisora (33-13-0, 23 KO) he commented that “he was the best I had seen in a long time and I didn’t think anyone could beat him. I think he is an absolute legend for what he has done for boxing. He’s entertaining, his skills are incredible, his mentality is incredible,” said the former Manchester United player.

Fury also holds Rooney in similar high regard, and enthused, “Wayne is a proper legend, and I grew up watching him as a youngster for England and United,” explains the Gypsy King. “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! So, that’s amazing, amazing speech from him”. It appears that they both are keen to train together and that in itself will be something worth seeing.

The fight against Usyk will be historic. The winner of the match will be crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion, and negotiations are almost complete. There is no official agreement yet, but it is scheduled to take place between March and April in a Middle Eastern country. Saudi Arabia wants to host the big clash, but other options including Qatar or London have not been ruled out.