Tyson Fury finally admits true feelings about Oleksandr Usyk ahead of heavyweight fight

Tyson Fury has finally opened up about his true feelings towards Oleksandr Usyk, acknowledging him as the "real deal" ahead of their highly anticipated bout.

The Gypsy King is set to face the heavyweight world champion Usyk later this month in a historic fight that will determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Despite previously downplaying Usyk's threat to his title, dismissing the former cruiserweight kingpin's chances, Fury has now expressed genuine respect for his opponent.

"Oleksandr Usyk's a real bad man and to underestimate Usyk you'd be a mug," he confessed in an interview with Queensberry Promotions. "So I'm training hard for him, I'm doing everything I can. I respect Usyk as a man. I respect his career as well - Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion, unified heavyweight champion."

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Fury praised Usyk's impressive resume and skill set, saying, "You have to respect that, I'm fighting the real deal. I'm looking forward to the challenge. He's a southpaw, he's got good footwork, good boxing ability, technically sound. He's proved he can mix it with the big heavyweights because he's beat Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois."

He continued to acknowledge the Ukrainian's qualities beyond his boxing prowess, adding, "I'm messing with an elite fighter who's got more than boxing ability. He's stubborn and he wants to win like I do. All of the talent and attributes aside, it will come down to who wants it most on the night. If he wants it more than him, he'll win and if I want it more than him then I'll win. I just think my will and determination will be more than his on the night.", reports the Mirror.

Fury clinched three of the major world titles back in 2015 with a victory over Wladimir Klitschko, but his battle with personal demons led to him relinquishing those titles during a challenging period filled with substance abuse issues. His triumphant return saw him defeat Deontay Wilder in their second fight, crowning him a two-time world champion.

Now, he's on the cusp of potentially unifying all four belts.

"To win them all back again would be fantastic," Fury expressed. "To get them all under one banner for the first time in 25 years... there have been a few heavyweight champions since then who haven't been able to get undisputed. It's a very special moment, especially for heavyweight boxing to have all the belts on the line and two unbeaten champions."