This guy was the X factor that made Rico's performance possible this weekend. I'll admit, I knew nothing of Rico before this match with Usyk got made. I figured that like most kickboxers he was only going to look impressive at kickboxing and would be no contest for Usyk. After watching some of his matches in that sport I became even more convinced. He looked squared on, unable to really throw effective punches, constantly dropped his opposite hand when throwing a punch, etc. I knew some of that was because he was having to take into account his opponent kicking him and all that, but he just didn't seem impressive as a boxer. Peter Fury worked a masterclass with this guy. They literally did what I and a bunch of others have suggested is the only way to truly get to Usyk. You have to just go full on shithouse. And that's exactly what Peter had Rico do. Rico looked like a goof in there. Hunched over, head down, swinging and moving his arms like he was some fighter from the 40s. But it worked. It created a much smaller and constantly moving target for Usyk. It kept Usyk from establishing any sort of rhythm. Whenever Usyk would go to throw some punches Rico would just swing some nonsense at him and then try to get in close and rough him up. It was like a much more athletic version of Delboy in there. I think Usyk saw how ridiculous it was, saw how effective it was despite that, and decided he'd wait until Rico got tired. Except this dude didn't get tired like an AJ or a Fury. Then Usyk had to turn on his clutch gene and get to work to make sure he got Rico out of there late. I've always thought Peter Fury was the one Fury worth a damn. In interviews he seems like the one guy out of that whole clan who isn't full of **** and trying to run a con 24/7. He speaks knowledgeably on boxing and he gave Luke Partridge a great game plan for Wlad. I think without Peter, Rico does actually get smoked in a couple of rounds even by the heavier, slower version of Usyk. He cooked up a brilliant spoiler/ugly game plan and then had Rico following it to a tee. I honestly believe that if Luke wasn't such an idiot and had kept Peter around, Usyk would have been in big trouble in those fights. The only odd thing is why Peter hasn't been able to work his magic with Hughie "Shades of Ali" Fury. You'd think he would have got this guy into at least some sort of title contention by this point.
Shades of Ali never wanted to be in the ring. He was in the ring under duress. Its impossible for any trainer to turn someone like that into a world champion, even in the 4 belt era. Credit to Peter Fury he did do a great job with Rico, the game plan really played to Rico's strengths and made him very hard to beat.
Nice post I gather he has been working with Peter Fury for years. And given he changed his whole stance and fighting approach to great effect, it's definitely a great reflection on his team as well. Rico had the athleticism and fight experience to make it work. In a way it isnt too dissimilar from what the Mayweather gym did with Ngannou. Put together a plan to beat one specific opponent for one night (which as you allude to, perhaps Peter also did in Germany). Still, just as with Fury's performance against Ngannou, this was not a good look for Usyk and boxing Hats off to both Rico and Peter Fury. I certainly don't think anyone expected that performance
Peter Fury is a great trainer,hasnt gotte nthe praise because he doesnt work with many fighters. I think he doesnt like to travel or cant and not many fighters come to him. But as ability goes he s up there.
I don't think Peter Fury had much influence on Rico's performance against Usyk. Rico is a proven, veteran kickboxing champion who knows how to fight and punch and KO his opponent. The size of his arms is double Usyk's. It's not easy to fight a man like that, he probably hits like a mace. Still, Usyk was able to KO him.
He’s known him since he was a kid and trained with him for 15 years he said in an interview. I’m not sure if he said trained with him or trained him directly but he’s no doubt always been involved in some way.
Makes sense, back around 2005, I remember a few of the heavyweight kickboxers in Greater Manchester used to get sparring in with pro boxers - the Furys came up in conversation (Tyson being a big junior boxer to look out for or some such). I suppose combat sports is a small world really, and it isn't that uncommon for kickboxers to be using the same gyms as boxers or just looking improve their hands
Luke Tyson should never have left his uncle Peter. Bully Boy John destroyed his career in the end. For Usyk, the Peter-version was needed, not the Kronk or John-version. Imo still Usyk would have been my pick to win, but it would have been more difficult for him.
It was the other Uncle who trained all the Fury’s from children in his gym down on his yard,unfortunately Hughie passed away in 2014 after complications from breaking his leg. Worst decision Tyson made was staying with Sugar Hill after the Wilder trilogy,funny thing is it’s his father who has been telling Tyson to bin Hill for years. As for Peter yes he’s a good trainer but he got it all wrong for the Shields v Savannah fight .
Yes I remember this uncle Hughie. It was so emotional in Germany when he dedicated his win over Klitschko to his late uncle Hughie (starts on the right spot): This content is protected Sure he is a big showman, but its imo 100% sure these tears were real, very emotional scene. For Shields vs Savannah he was wrong, yes. But in general I think his version of his nephew from the Klitschko fight was needed against Usyk. Olexander would have much more trouble with this 247 lbs / 112 kg version then with the fat 262 lbs / 119 kg version.
Rico was sparring with Tyson prior to the Klitschko fight so yes, he’s been around Peter and elite boxing for over a decade now. On a personal note, speaking as I find them - Peter is a class act and a gentleman.
Interesting but I see it different. Tyson should have listened to Hill more and pushed Usyk rather than boxing him. All fun to talk about though.
