Tyson Fury invites Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney to sparring session to prepare for Oleksandr Usyk
TYSON FURY fancies sparring Wayne Rooney in preparation for his Oleksandr Usyk undisputed decider.
The Manchester United and England legend was ringside at Wembley for the 34-year-old WBC Gypsy King’s one-sided defence against Derek Chisora on Saturday.
The boxing-mad Scouser – who was infamously knocked out by fellow player Phil Bardsley in a friendly 2015 sparring session – hailed the Morecambe giant and put him forward for a knighthood.
And Fury responded by offering 37-year-old Wazza the chance to impersonate 6ft 3in southpaw Usyk in the ring over a few rounds, ahead of their spring showdown.
United fan Fury told talkSPORT: “Wayne Rooney is a proper legend.
“I grew up watching him as a youngster for England and United. So, that’s an amazing speech from him.
“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!”
After dominating Del Boy over 10 hard-to-watch rounds, Fury called Usyk up to his ring and set-up their duel perfectly with some trash talk.
Away from the 60,000 fans he was more measured and complimentary about the London 2012 Olympic and undisputed cruiserweight champion.
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And Rooney reckons Fury’s ability to batter opponents with one hand and hold the public in the palm of his other, marks him out for a special commendation.
Roo said: “I think he’s an absolute legend for what he’s done for boxing. He’s entertaining, his skills are incredible, his mentality is incredible.
“If I’m being honest, I probably think he should be knighted because he hasn’t been afraid to go abroad, he’s won titles abroad, defended them abroad and he epitomises everything that boxing is.”
But Fury – who demanded to be withdrawn from the 2021 BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards – played down his nomination for a meeting with King Charles.
Fury said: “As daft and bizarre as this might sound to people, I’m really happy with who I am.
“I’m the people’s champion. I don’t really need some accolade, award, or promotion to let me know who I am, what I do, or who I am inside.
“I know that I don’t really need a claim to say, ‘Oh, he’s a Sir or he’s a whatever.’”