Tyson Fury has been warned by sparring partner Alen Babic that he is "spent' and could lose to Joe Joyce.
The 'Gypsy King' recently picked up his latest win over Derek Chisora in December and is now eyeing a shot at the undisputed titles against Oleksandr Usyk in his first fight of 2023. It is expected to be a busy year for the WBC champion who elected to make a U-turn on retirement and continue fighting despite initially wanting to compromise his undefeated record.
In the preparation to his last fight, Fury sparred several rounds with rising star Alen Babic who is expected to receive a bridgerweight world title shot in his next outing. And the Croatian fighter has claimed that Fury admitted he has aches and pains in his elbows and arms which could begin to affect his performances.
“It’s a crazy fight. I think Tyson is a mad man, he really is," Babic told iD Boxing when discussing his views on the WBC champion Fury. "He’s one of my favourite personas. I was in his camp for one month and he was so good to me and gave me everything. He is a true persona. I think Joe Joyce [doesn’t have that] persona – not even close like Tyson Fury.
"But Joe Joyce is, in my opinion, a more dangerous guy right now. I think Tyson Fury is more spent, you know? He also said his arms hurt, his elbows, everything. He’s f***ed, in his own words. I think Joe Joyce is that kind of juggernaut, he just doesn’t feel pain. Something like myself.
"He just doesn’t feel pain, he just goes on. I don’t know if it’s smart for Tyson Fury [to take that fight.] I think that’s the toughest fight, but I will never count Tyson Fury out. He’s the champion and that’s not for nothing.”
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Fury attempted to retire from the sport but has elected to return after struggling with the return to routine life. A number of big fights lay in wait for Fury including against British rivals Joyce and Anthony Joshua that could materialise if he becomes undisputed champion.
And the 'Gypsy King' has admitted that he will likely need help to hang up his gloves and escape from the sport that he has been a part of for so long. He told Behind The Gloves : "You're putting all your eggs in one basket and your mindset is on this goal and you've been doing that for so many years.
"I was away for four months and I can't walk away, and maybe there's somebody out there like a doctor or a psychologist or somebody that could really help me because I think I'm going to need mental help to let go of this thing."
