TYSON FURY’S next sparring partner will ‘most likely’ be Russian KO artist Apti Davtaev.
The Gypsy King is gearing up for a December 19 trilogy fight against Deontay Wilder and could get in the ring with 6ft 5in unbeaten Davtaev as part of his preparations.
Tyson Fury is coached by SugarHill Steward (right)Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Both fighters are trained by SugarHill Steward and it could be a mutually beneficial partnership.
With Davtaev, 31, boasting an impressive record of 19 KOs in 21 professional fights he has the punching power to replicate the threat of The Bronze Bomber.
And the Russian heavyweight will benefit from the experience of getting up close and personal with world champ Fury, 32.
I want to feel his power but I also want to learn.”
Apti Davtaev
Davtaev was asked about his prospects of training in the ring with Fury and told RT Sport: “Most likely yes, it’s definite. Right now I can’t say anything officially, but most likely it’s definite.
“I expect [Fury] to move around a lot. I want to feel his power but I also want to learn. The main thing for me is to learn.
“I want to test myself. Without question Tyson Fury is the best heavyweight in the world. Wilder doesn’t have a chance in the rematch.
“I’ve been interested in sport since I was a kid. In our republic, everyone is and it’s not surprising that I chose the career of a professional athlete.
“I started training 19-20 years ago, right now I’m training at home.”
Davtaev, a devout Muslim, grew up in the mountains of Chechnya and has had four fights in the US – three times on women’s world champ Clarissa Shields’ undercard.
Fury has also signed up to fight Anthony Joshua twice in 2021.
And he called on his British rival to vacate some belts if thats what it takes to get a colossal fight between the pair on.
Fury also slammed AJ by suggesting he would lose to Oleksandr Usyk but admitted he did not think the two would meet.
Joshua has to fight Kubrat Pulev before potentially being mandated to face former cruiserweight champ Usyk by the WBO.
Fury is scheduled to face Wilder for a third time at the new Raiders Stadium in Las Vegas at the end of the year.
The first bout ended in a spectacular draw after Fury climbed off the canvas in the last round, but he didn’t leave it to the judges in February – battering Wilder with a seventh-round KO.
Fury beat Deontay Wilder in their second fight in FebruaryCredit: AFP – Getty
Tyson Fury shares clip ‘racist’ pub refusing to let in travellers and calls it ‘totally unacceptable behaviour’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
