Tyson Fury says he has appointed Ronnie O'Sullivan to his support team ahead of his comeback fight next month, and the snooker star has already been strutting his stuff in the ring.
The five-time world champion shared a video of a sparring session with his followers on Instagram earlier thisweek, including Fury's @gypsyking101 handle alongside it. Now, Fury has confirmed why.
Heavyweight boxer Fury will get back in the ring at Manchester Arena on June 9, against an opponent still to be announced, after spending over two years out of action.
Following lengthy wrangling over an alleged doping offence, which Fury flatly denied he committed, he has his boxing licence back and believes five-time world snooker champion O'Sullivan can help him on the mental side of sporting combat.
O'Sullivan has been supported in recent years by sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, who has also previously worked with teams including Great Britain's Olympic cyclists and the England football team.
Tyson Fury, a character of the sport, faces the media bare chested during a press conference ahead of his fight with Wladimir Klitschko in 2016. Photo / Getty Images
And Fury believes he is already benefiting from O'Sullivan's knowledge and understanding of the stresses of sport at the highest level.
Speaking about the team behind his return to boxing, Fury told fighthype.com: 'I've just employed Ronnie O'Sullivan as well, the snooker player. He's going to help me with my mental side of things - sports psychology and all that.
'Big shout out Ronnie - top guy and thanks for all the help.
'We've been bouncing ideas back and forth with each other, it really helps. Sitting with people who have been through traumatic experiences like I have, it's been very educational.'
Fury has not fought since outpointing Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, WBA and WBO world titles in November 2015.
He has had issues involving mental health and his weight since he beat the Ukrainian.
In December, Fury accepted a backdated two-year ban from UK Anti-Doping. He was charged with testing positive for a 'prohibited substance' in June 2016, but said that was as a result of eating wild boar.
Fury and O'Sullivan exchanged messages on Instagram last week, after 42-year-old O'Sullivan posted a picture of himself in the gym.
Fury replied: 'Whenever you need the real thing hit me up.'
O'Sullivan sent a message back, saying: 'I'll be down soon for some don't be too harsh on me though.'
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