Orderly cue! Fury reveals O’Sullivan link-up
LONDON: Controversial British boxer Tyson Fury claims he has arranged for former world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan to join his support team ahead of his comeback fight next month.
Fury will get back in heavyweight action at Manchester Arena on June 9, against an opponent still to be announced, after spending over two years out of action.
Fury believes five-time world champion O’Sullivan can help him on the mental side of sporting combat after a long battle to regain his boxing license following an alleged doping offence he denies committing.
O’Sullivan has been supported in recent years by sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, who has also previously worked with teams including Great Britain’s Olympic cyclists and the England football team.
And Fury believes he is already benefiting from O’Sullivan’s knowledge and understanding of the stresses of sport at the highest level.
Speaking about the team behind his return to boxing, Fury told fighthype.com: “I’ve just employed Ronnie O’Sullivan as well, the snooker player. He’s going to help me with my mental side of things – sports psychology and all that.
“Big shout out Ronnie – top guy and thanks for all the help.
“We’ve been bouncing ideas back and forth with each other, it really helps.
He’s (O’Sullivan) going to help me with my mental side of things – sports psychology and all that. — Tyson Fury, former world heavyweight champion
“Sitting with people who have been through traumatic experiences like I have, it’s been very educational.”
Fury has not fought since outpointing Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles in November 2015.
In December, Fury accepted a backdated two-year ban from UK Anti-Doping.
He was charged with testing positive for a “prohibited substance” in June 2016, but said that was as a result of eating wild boar.