Tyson Fury has hit back at critics who have branded his wrestling debut as an easy route out of boxing.
Fury has this week jetted off to Saudi Arabia where he will make his WWE bow against Braun Strowman on Halloween .
Many have questioned the Gypsy King’s motives for the move, especially with the serious cut sustained against Otto Wallin in September still not fully healed.
But the 6ft 9in heavyweight insists his sidestep into wrestling has been far more demanding than his boxing training ever is.
He said: “It’s very taxing on the body, very hard work.
“I don’t take any impact in boxing but wrestling you take impact every day, getting power-slammed, suplexed, everything you can think of.
“I’ve been getting chucked out of the ring too. It’s all just impact, impact, impact. It is painful to say the least.
“I don’t get hit when I’m boxing really. I would say there is 100 times more impact than in boxing because I’m actually getting picked up and slammed onto a hard floor. I don’t ever get that in boxing, ever.
“I can honestly tell you that if I spar for 10 or 12 rounds, I might get hit five times. In this you’re getting impacted every day you train.
“Anyone who says wrestling is easier than boxing is full of s***. They don’t know what they’re talking about.
“I thought I had a hard schedule boxing twice a year, being away in training camp for 10 weeks. These guys are away every day and wrestle five nights a week.”
A highly anticipated rematch with Deontay Wilder has been pencilled in for February 22 in Las Vegas, provided the WBC champion beats Luis Ortiz on November 23.
And Fury has now confirmed that his wrestling career will not get in the way of him boxing on that suggested date, regardless of what happens to the big-punching American.
Fury added: “If Wilder loses we will have to look for a new opponent for February 22nd.
“Either way, I’ll be boxing on February 22 in Vegas, whether it’s Wilder or not.
“That’s for sure, providing I don’t get run over in the meantime. Whether the cut is ok or not, I will still be fighting February 22 because that’s what I do.”
