Agron Smakici, the Croatian heavyweight who once served as Tyson Fury’s training partner, is seeking an apology from the former two-time world champion following their controversial sparring session.
The incident occurred ahead of Fury’s originally scheduled undisputed title clash with Oleksandr Usyk in 2024, when Smakici was brought in to help prepare the ‘Gypsy King’ for the bout.
However, the sparring resulted in Fury sustaining a cut that forced the postponement of the highly anticipated contest just weeks before it was due to take place.
The wound reopened scar tissue from an injury Fury originally suffered during his 2019 fight against Otto Wallin, a problem that has troubled him repeatedly since.
Speaking to World Boxing News, Smakici has revisited the notorious training session and rejected suggestions that the damage was inflicted by an elbow rather than a legitimate punch.
“The memories that we have from sparring. Where I was controlling the sparring from the first round, the second round,” he said.
The Croatian fighter described how Fury pushed his head down during the exchange, prompting him to respond with increased aggression.
Agron Smakici used to spar with Tyson Fury
|
PA
“He put my head down and pushed my head so when I picked up my head, I started to throw punches even harder,” he said.
“I rocked him with a couple of shots, and the last shot was with a cut, and they say that it was with an elbow, but it wasn’t, it was a real punch.
“He didn’t complain about the elbow; he just threw a shot, stopped the sparring, and went out.”
Five facts about boxing that fans might not know | GBNEWS/PA
With Fury now preparing for his ring return, Smakici has expressed his willingness to face his former training partner in an official bout.
The 21-3 fighter revealed he received an enquiry about potentially meeting Fury in the professional ranks.
“I got the call from Sky Sports, I’m not sure, and he asked me if I am interested in having a fight with Fury, and I said yes, of course,” he added. “We’ve got something that we didn’t finish, and he owes me an apology.”
Despite his enthusiasm, a meeting between the two appears improbable.
Smakici suffered defeat in his most recent contest against Artem Suslenkov in October, and previously lost to heavyweight contender Agit Kabayel in 2023.
Fury’s path since the sparring incident has been marked by disappointment.
Agron Smakici previously sparred with Anthony Joshua, in addition to Tyson Fury
|
INSTAGRAMThe Briton eventually faced Usyk in May 2024, losing by split decision, before suffering another points defeat in their December rematch.
Weeks after the second loss, the 37-year-old declared his retirement from boxing, only to swiftly reverse that decision. He is now scheduled to face Russian puncher Arslanbek Makhmudov on 11 April in his UK comeback.
Fury expressed his excitement when confirming the bout.
“I’m absolutely psyched, ready today to fight. Come on! The Mac is back. April, UK. I’ve been away four years, I’ve been away for a while but I’m back now,” he enthused.
