Tyson Fury Reveals Sparring Knockout Mind Games Before Wladimir Klitschko Fight

World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury has stated previous comments he made about being knocked out in sparring and a fall-out with his coach were “mind games.”

The British fighter is preparing for his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko on July 9 at the Manchester Arena and shocked fans recently when painting the picture of a training camp in turmoil. However, the controversial heavyweight took to Instagram to post the following bulletin, insisting the entire thing was a ruse:

“There was no knockdowns in the gym, as if it's possible for me to get chinned off a [light heavyweight]!,” he said, per Mark Ashenden of Sky Sports. “I've lost over 10kg, feeling great and never been so on [course] for a fight with two months left to go. Stripping the weight nicely, but keeping the muscle, all going good. I play mind games.”

The 27-year-old had recently told Sky Sports that he was considering looking for a new trainer after a supposed falling out with Peter Fury. “He said to me, 'If you're getting knocked over by light-heavyweights, what's Klitschko going to do?’,” said the champion. “He's left for a couple of days but I am not sure if he's coming back if I'm honest.”

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Peter had earlier said “apart from Tyson getting knocked out every five seconds, everything in the camp is great.”

The claims have been dismissed by Fury, though, and he has thanked his fanbase for getting behind him while he continues to prepare for the biggest fight of his life:

A turbulent buildup to bouts is nothing new when it comes to the Brit. Before the first fight with Klitschko, he famously donned a Batman outfit ahead of a press-conference. Here’s a reminder of that remarkable moment:

While these latest comments fall into the category of tomfoolery, there have also been some unsavoury segments from Fury, too.

Earlier this month, the champion apologised to “anyone who may have taken offence at any of my comments” after he was captured making homophobic, sexist and anti-Semitic remarks in a video, per BBC.

Controversial statements made by Fury previously prompted a petition to remove him from the shortlist for the BBC's 2015 Sports Personality of the Year, per BBC.

The Daily Telegraph’s Paul Hayward is getting a little tired of the fighter and the storm that seems to follow him:

Mind games like the ones Fury refers to are part of boxing, although he needs to be careful he doesn’t take his eye off the prize heading into this fight. Klitschko may have been poor in the first bout between the duo, but he’s a seasoned competitor and one of the great champions of the modern era; he’ll be desperate to regain his belts.

That much was evident in a recent post on the 40-year-old’s own Instagram account, in which he detailed some “adjustments” he’ll make for the July date.

"Analysis was always one of my strengths," his post read. "Coach JB and I have done the homework. Overall my preparation stayed the same, but it’s all about details. We made adjustments and I’m extremely motivated to bounce back."

Fury seems to be at his best in the ring when he's relaxed, something his perfect 25-fight record illustrates. But the fight is edging closer, and as the biggest name in heavyweight boxing, there will come a time when he needs to forget the antics to focus on the sweet science itself.

Do that, mind games or not, and he’s well capable of overcoming the imposing Ukrainian for a second time.