Carl Frampton has weighed in with his prediction for the – hopefully – upcoming undisputed heavyweight world title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, and has revealed Usyk’s recent showing against Daniel Dubois has swayed his thinking somewhat.
Despite the Ukrainian winning basically every round before stopping Dubois in the ninth, a controversial fifth round low blow ruling was the biggest talking point to emerge from the fight and a narrative has formed that Usyk is vulnerable to the body.
Frampton explained on Up Front with Simon Jordan that he is believer in that view, and as such now sees Fury as a “strong favourite.”
“I think Fury is now a strong favourite in that fight.
I always thought he was a favourite in the fight, after watching Usyk’s performance against Dubois, it looks like he can be hurt to the body.
It’s more than just Fury’s size, he can box and he’s tough and resilient. But he’s got that monstrous frame as well, and I think that’s what wins him the fight.”
After months of deliberation, contracts have finally been signed for Fury and Usyk to lock horns for all the marbles in Saudi Arabia, though there has been no confirmation of a date or venue as of yet.
The fight is expected to take place in either late December or early January, with confirmation likely coming after ‘The Gypsy King’s heavily polarising crossover bout with former UFC heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou, which takes place in Riyadh on October 28th.