I’m risking everything when I get in the ring
Fury rolling dice with health
TYSON FURY knows he will pay a heavy price even in victory over Oleksandr Usyk this weekend.
Fury has the opportunity to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years when he faces the Ukrainian in Saudi Arabia.
Both men will risk their world titles and unbeaten records in the desert but the Brit admits he is also rolling the dice with his health.
Fury has fought 230 rounds over 35 pro fights and been knocked down seven times.
He was bludgeoned to the canvas on four occasions by one of the most concussive punchers in history – Deontay Wilder. The Brit fears he suffered brain damage over the course of his brutal trilogy with the American.
But not even that prospect has convinced him to stick to his many retirements.
Fury plans to fight another 10 times having accepted that will come at a cost.
He said: “I believe every time you go in the ring you leave with less than you had when you went in.
“It takes a little bit more out of you but it’s a good job I live for today and don’t think about the future otherwise I’d be screwed.
“There is no tomorrow, as Apollo Creed said to Rocky.
“There are a few people I’ve known who went to bed and didn’t wake up so every day is a blessing.
“Whenever people ask how I am, I say I’m alive, which is a good start.
“It’s always been one fight at a time and every fight is a big fight.
“I remember when I became novice champion in under 10 fights, that was a big moment for me. Then when I became senior champion that was a big moment, then English, British, European champ… I suppose this is a big moment also.
“When you’re doing your thing, years pass by quite quickly so I’m not too concerned about the negative stuff about boxing. If it’s 10
fights over the next five years then I want them quickly. If I’m going to have them, let’s rack them up.” Fury was first dropped by the unknown Neven Pajkic in 2011 and again by Steve Cunningham two years later. After his four visits to the canvas against Wilder, Fury was also knocked down by former UFC champion Francis Ngannou in the second round of a near-disastrous display last October. And he admits he now relies on his brain and not his brawn to get him out of trouble. He added: “I was a better fighter 12 years ago. “I’m no spring chicken. If you look at the greats, when they were 35 they were said to be finished. I’ve got to put youth to one side and use my experience and mentality.”