TYSON FURY has revealed he applauded Sky Sports' Adam Smith when he slammed Johnny Nelson for labelling Oleksandr Usyk an 'average southpaw'.
Nelson, who was cruiserweight world champion between 1999 and 2005, incredibly claimed last year that pound-for-pound superstar Usyk was not a standout boxer compared to other southpaws.
Sky Sports presenter and commentator Smith took umbrage to that view.
And Fury has declared he agreed with Smith in slamming Nelson's controversial point.
Grabbing the mic and interviewing the Sky man on iFL TV in March, Fury said: "A couple of months ago Johnny Nelson said to you that Oleksandr Usyk is an average southpaw cruiserweight.
"And I was actually very impressed with your thing. You was absolutely livid, absolutely boiling. You was like 'arghhhh'. Can you tell us a bit more about it?"
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And Smith explained: "I was doing an interview and Johnny just said he was an average southpaw and I just took complete offence to that.
"I think he is a fantastic fighter. I think he was a wonderful amateur. He was brilliant against Joshua and I thought that was a disgraceful thing for my good friend and colleague to say.
"But there we go, that's his opinion."
Fury then replied: "I was actually clapping in the room because that was amazing. So well done for that."
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Usyk, an Olympic gold medallist from London 2012, beat Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles.
And he will defend his belts in their rematch on August 20 in Saudi Arabia after promoter Eddie Hearn stated contracts have been put in place.
Recent reports suggested that the winner of the fight could face Fury in an undisputed match-up.
But the unbeaten Mancunian quickly shut down those rumours as he denied he is in talks about a return to the ring after he retired following his win over Dillian Whyte in April.
And the Gypsy King has insisted he has no intention in making a comeback during an appearance on Good Morning Britain.
That came just hours after he told Frank Warren's Queensbury Promotions that will "100 per cent" step back inside the squared circle.
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