Amir Khan has admitted he’s worried Tyson Fury ‘might have taken his foot off the pedal’ as the Briton prepares for his upcoming rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury lost to Usyk back in May, with the 36-year-old suffering his first defeat as a professional in the process.
He is adamant he deserved to win the initial bout, however, and is confident that he’ll be able to avenge that defeat later in the year.
Khan disagrees with the idea that Fury has no chance against Usyk, who has also overcome Anthony Joshua and Tony Bellew in the post.
But the former boxing star has raised concerns that Saudi Arabian money may have made Fury ‘relaxed’ as he prepares to return to the ring.
“I’ve been seeing comments that Tyson Fury is going to get beat again but knocked out this time,” he told Action Network.
“But I don’t see that. One thing about Fury is, every time he’s lost or had a bad fight, he’s come back stronger and has known what to do and how to beat the guy.
“He might have taken his foot off the pedal in the first fight but this time he’s going to have to be focused and ready.
“He needs that fire in his belly again and wants to be world champion again.
“I don’t know if the Saudi money has made him relaxed or take that fire away but let’s hope he really wants it.
“I know if Tyson walks into that ring and is the guy who wants it then he’ll definitely get the knockout and win.”
Prior to the first fight, John Fury made the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
The 59-year-old headbutted a member of Usyk’s team in unsavoury scenes in the build-up to the clash.
As Fury crashed to defeat, some felt John was interfering too much.
And Khan feels the Irishman would be wise to take a step back for the rematch on December 21.
He added: “My father always used to be in the gym with me and press conferences but then he refused to be in the corner.