FORMER heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has urged Oleksandr Usyk to stand his ground or risk losing his titles to Tyson Fury.
Usyk and Fury have been embroiled in ongoing talks over a huge heavyweight clash since the Gypsy King successfully defended his WBC crown against Derek Chisora in December.
However, Tyson is convinced that Usyk won’t stand a chance if he doesn’t “stand and fight”.
The 56-year-old told ID Boxing: “[Usyk] can’t run forever. Tyson’s going to get him in the corner, he’s going to get him with some punches, and he’s going to hurt him eventually.
“He’s going to run all night. He has to stay and fight to win the fight. At some particular time, he’s going to have to stand and fight.
“He can’t run and box all night – they’re not gonna give him the decision, now with Tyson. They want to see some fighting.
“After watching him and Deontay Wilder in a fight, they ain’t going to go for no running and hitting.”
Although Tyson believes Fury will win the bout, he has urged the Gypsy King to fight more frequently.
He added: “Tyson Fury is going to win, and I think Tyson should fight more. They take too much time in between fights.
“I fought 15 times in one year. I’m a strong believer of four or five times a year, they should fight.”
While talks over the fight are still ongoing, some officials have started to hint that it may not go ahead.
Speaking to iFL TV, Fury’s promoter Frank Warren said: “We’re getting to a situation where one way or another we’re going to have to make a decision.
“And we’re not far off that.”
