With just six weeks remaining until Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed world heavyweight championship, preparations by both men are in full flight.
The dual champions were originally supposed to face off in February, but a cut over the eye sustained by WBC titleholder Fury in training meant the fight was delayed until May 18.
Experienced cutman Jorge Capetillo says that while the cut appears to be fully healed, it could still be a little while longer before Fury returns to sparring ahead of his bout with WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO champion Usyk.
"The fight is going to be in May so he should be going back to sparring in two or three weeks’ time but the good thing is, he has been active with fighting Francis Ngannou recently and for him to get the distance and timing again is going to be easy because he has remained in the gym," Capetillo told Betway.
"Activity is the key and it’s his advantage for the fight."
While Capetillo feels Fury should be fine to spar later this month, he noted that it could re-open during the fight. However, the cutman believes that with the proper care and preparation Fury should be fine and can focus on the more technical aspects of the massive bout.
"There’s always a possibility that it [the cut re-opening] could happen, but Tyson has to do what he is good at with his distance, reach, not trying to knock him out in one punch but set him up with big punches by using feints and his footwork and IQ in the ring," Capetillo said. "It is a matter of good timing, reach and his footwork.
"For a heal, it should take like 90 days but it’s been 60 days or more since the cut so I am sure with the right treatment, he should be ready for May 18 and soon he can start with some light sparring, nothing hard but to get the reach and distance right. It is more important than power punches with reach and timing. He’ll probably be ready for sparring in the next couple of weeks.
"Tyson has to treat the cut well before the fight and do sparring sessions with nice head gear and start with nothing crazy to make sure he doesn’t get hit hard so it doesn’t re-open but I’m going to put emphasis on this, he needs his reach and timing right and if they are on point, it is game over for Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson will be on top."
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