Spencer Oliver, a boxing commentator, is defending Tyson Fury against the accusation of being a “coward” made by Oleksandr Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas. This accusation was made after Fury’s eye injury, which led to the postponement of their highly anticipated heavyweight fight. Oliver asserts that the injury was accidental and denies any intentional actions to avoid the fight.
The injury has granted Fury, the holder of the WBC belt, more time to prepare for his upcoming clash with Usyk, who currently holds the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles. The fight has been rescheduled for May 18th at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Oliver is determined to dispel the notion of cowardice surrounding Fury. He emphasizes Fury’s proven track record and dismisses the label placed on him by fans following his withdrawal from the February 17th bout against Usyk.
Regardless of the accusations, Fury now has additional time to work on his form and regain his past glory. His recent performances have been less than impressive, with losses to Francis Ngannou and a controversial victory over Dereck Chisora.
Oliver defends the legitimacy of Fury’s cut, stating that it was an unfortunate incident that can happen in boxing. He explains that Fury spars with an open head guard, leaving him susceptible to such injuries. Oliver suggests that May 18th might be too soon for Fury to fully recover and prepare for the fight.
The rescheduled fight on May 18th now carries a $10 million penalty clause, adding pressure on Fury to ensure he shows up and competes. If he fails to do so, he will face a significant financial penalty.