Eddie Hearn has dismissed rumours that Jai Opetaia floored Tyson Fury in a sparring session ahead of the Oleksandr Usyk fight.

The Brit and Ukrainian face each other for the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, with both men currently deep in training camps.

Fury vs Usyk is set for February 17Credit: Top Rank

Fury has based himself in Riyadh ahead of the bout and recruited a number of top sparring partners including unbeaten cruiserweight champion Opetaia, who is co-promoted by Hearn.

Boxing’s rumour mill flew into overdrive last week as the Australian left the Gypsy King’s camp after sparring just five rounds with him, with many claiming this was because Opetaia scored a knockdown.

Speaking to Spencer Oliver on talkBOXING, former cruiserweight king Johnny Nelson said: “I’m hearing rumours of what’s happening in camp – I’m hearing that he’s getting turned over in the gym.

“I’m hearing these things and I’m thinking has he taken his eye off the ball, or has time caught up with him?”

However, Opetaia’s team insisted he departed early due to the lack of orthodox sparring for him to share rounds with in Fury’s southpaw-focused camp.

And now Matchroom chief Hearn told Drive on talkSPORT: “I saw the piece yesterday with Johnny Nelson and Spencer Oliver.

“Johnny Nelson was adamant that Fury had been dropped in sparring by Jai Opetaia.

“Jai Opetaia is with Matchroom, he’s a tremendous fighter. As far as I can see, it’s absolute rubbish.

Opetaia is believed by many to be the world’s best cruiserweightCredit: Mark Robinson/Matchroom

“Jai Opetaia flew in, he did five rounds with Tyson Fury. I mean, he will set about him as he always does, but as I understand it nobody got hurt or dropped in the spar.

“Then after that Jai went back because it’s all southpaws in [Fury’s] training camp [to prepare for Usyk], and he’s fighting Mairis Briedis who’s an orthodox fighter.

“So I think it’s absolute rubbish, sparring stories are sparring stories.

“As I understand it, Fury’s having a great camp and I think he’s taking it very seriously.

“I expect a much better Tyson Fury in this fight against Usyk. Usyk looks razor focused and sharp. It’s a 50/50 fight.

“I think the Opetaia rumours are just rumours, complete rubbish.”

Fury v Usyk: Betting Odds

Tyson Fury has been installed as favourite to win the bout at 8/11 with Usyk priced at 11/10.

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