Trainer Stephen Edwards has expressed his suspicion that Tyson Fury’s recent decline in performance, as seen in his fight against Francis Ngannou, may be the result of the punishment he endured in his three fights with Deontay Wilder.
Wilder, a former WBC heavyweight champion known for his powerful punches, had knocked Fury down multiple times in their trilogy. Edwards believes that the damage inflicted by Wilder may have taken a toll on Fury’s abilities.
Fury managed to conceal the extent of the damage he suffered during his fights with Wilder. However, Edwards argues that if Fury had faced top-quality heavyweights after his trilogy with Wilder, it would have exposed his deteriorated state.
According to Edwards, Fury endured multiple concussions and showed signs of fragility in his recent bout against Ngannou. The trainer notes that Wilder’s powerful punches can wear down even the toughest fighters.
Fury’s diminished punch resistance was not the only factor affecting his performance against Ngannou. Edwards also attributes his decline to factors such as age, weight, and speed. However, he acknowledges that these factors are more natural and genetic in nature.
Reflecting on Fury’s previous fights with Wilder, Edwards considers them to be tough battles that took a toll on both fighters. He believes that such intense matches can leave a lasting impact on a boxer’s performance.
In their first fight, Fury was knocked unconscious by Wilder in the 12th round. In their second fight, Fury hit Wilder with an illegal rabbit punch, affecting Wilder’s performance. In the third fight, Wilder retaliated with a rabbit shot that knocked Fury down for a long count.
While Edwards acknowledges the significance of these blows, he speculates that they may have had residual effects on Fury, making him a different fighter than before.
Despite his concerns, Edwards is hesitant to conclude that Fury is no longer a capable fighter. He believes that fighters often rally behind their favored boxers and refuse to accept their decline. Edwards hopes that Fury will make the necessary adjustments in his upcoming fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
Edwards emphasizes that Usyk presents a different challenge compared to Ngannou, and Fury needs to adapt his strategy accordingly. He acknowledges Usyk’s skills and pound-for-pound superiority but notes that Fury’s size and abilities could still pose difficulties for Usyk.
Considering Fury’s age of 35 and his documented personal issues outside the ring, Edwards suggests that he may be past his prime. This can lead to inconsistent performances as the decline is typically gradual in fighters.
Despite expressing his suspicions, Edwards understands that a fighter’s capabilities cannot be judged solely based on one performance. He believes that Fury has the potential to make a remarkable comeback.
