Tyson Fury’s return to action takes place this evening against Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Heavyweight training camps are notoriously detailed and expensive. Boxing Social was given an exclusive insight into Fury’s Thailand based training construct by current WBC bridgerweight world champion Kevin Lerena, who was used as a sparring partner.
“I was there for the first four weeks of his camp,” Lerena told Boxing Social at yesterday’s official ceremonial weigh-in. “I’m a southpaw, but it’s about work ethic and company. When you are in camp with a guy with the right mindset and mentality, every day is training and working hard, and it makes the environment good. That’s what I was there for, to help push one and other. I have my own fight on the 30th of May. So, he is pushing me and I am pushing him. It’s more about the friendship and the training styles.”
South Africa’s Lerena (31-4, 15 KOs) rematches Belgian Ryad Merhy in Charleroi in his oppositions home nation where he will defend his WBC belt.
“He’s looking great,” Lerena said regarding Fury’s condition. “I’ve been with him for the last three training camps. I was with him in both the Usyk camps and this is the best I have seen him. They were in Saudi Arabia and Malta. This was first time in Thailand, I think it’s good for training camp capabilities. It’s very warm, the climate is good, and the people are very friendly. Like I said, I was with him for the last three camps, and in terms of a happy fighter and being tuned in and in a good space, this camp was the best I’ve seen him.”
Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) returns tonight in the English capital following a 16-month layoff, coming off back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk.
“He’s a skilled fighter, he’s Tyson Fury,” Lerena added. “The thing is, does he have a good game-plan? That is up to him and his trainers, which he needs to execute on the night. In terms of mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing, he’s in shape. Tyson will get the knockout win within six rounds. That’s my humble opinion.”