Tyson Fury has fuelled fresh injury speculation ahead of his December 11 fight against Anthony Joshua after posting a video on social media in which he appeared to have a black eye.
The heavyweights are scheduled to meet at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in front of approximately 80,000 spectators, but Fury’s fitness has become a talking point following comments by former world champion Frank Bruno.
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The 38-year-old, who is training in Miami for the bout, recorded the video on Friday to wish his friend and sparring partner, Kevin Lerena, success against Scotland’s Scott Forrest on Saturday night.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed a mark on the left side of Fury’s face.
“Tyson Fury here. This is a message for my brother Kevin Lerena. Good luck on your fight, Kev. Do the business. I just want to say Tyson Fury, the ‘Gypsy King,’ is behind the ‘Lerena Army.’ If you are watching it in South Africa, head over to SuperSport,” Fury said in the clip.
The video emerged a day after Bruno said he had heard whispers that Fury was carrying an injury that could affect his fight against Joshua.
Speaking on Fight Your Corner with former cruiserweight Tony Bellew, Bruno said: “I looked at him the other day, and I think someone was talking to me in the gym that he’s got some injury, which may stop him from going into the fight with Anthony Joshua? And having that on your head ain’t nice.”
Bellew dismissed the speculation as part of Fury’s usual routine.
“He plays up to the camera, Frank… I do think Tyson Fury is the master of the mind games,” he said.
However, Fury’s camp has denied the injury claims, insisting the heavyweight is preparing for the eagerly anticipated showdown as scheduled.
Fury returned from retirement this year with a points victory over Arslanbek Makhmudov in London in April before stopping Poland’s Mariusz Wach in July.
Fury’s father, John, has already voiced concerns about the fight. In the BBC Sport documentary Rivals: Fury v Joshua, recorded shortly before the bout was announced, he said: “I hope it never happens. They will get that much stick; the loser, they will not be able to cope with it.”
Promoter Eddie Hearn disagreed, describing it as “one of the biggest sporting events, if not the biggest, sporting event Britain has ever seen.”
The documentary will be available on BBC iPlayer from Tuesday, November 10.