The latest to make their pick for Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk is cruiserweight world title hopeful, Chris Billam-Smith.
The heavyweight undisputed fight pitting the Brit against the Ukrainian is one of the most intriguing and important bouts to be made in the sport today.
Not only will it crown a sole champion in the division for the first time since Lennox Lewis, but it will give the winner a legitimate claim to being the best of a generation.
Usyk previously held all the titles in the cruiserweight ranks before moving up in weight, and one man who’s trying to make his mark on that division now is Billam-Smith.
‘The Gentleman’ told Pro Boxing Fans that he was struggling to pick a winner, but was leaning slightly towards Usyk to come out with his undefeated record intact.
“It’s such an interesting fight. I never ever like to pick either man because neither of them know what it’s like to lose. They don’t know what losing’s about. They don’t believe in losing. They’re both unbeaten for a reason. They’re both talented.
There’s something about Usyk which makes me 0.0001% lean towards him. Just about his aura. I don’t know what it is, but I’d lean ever ever so slightly on that side of the fence.
But Tyson Fury’s six foot nine and he knows the attributes. He’s super strong and he knows how to bully people. So if he can go and impose all those strengths – which is what people were screaming for AJ to do – bully him, lean on him, tire him out, then I’m sure he’ll get the win.”
In the pool of industry predictions, CBS’s pick joins a minority of pundits and fighters picking the Ukrainian, with most in Fury’s camp due to his size alone.
For the picks to be put to the test, the fight must first be signed and announced. Promoter Frank Warren recently provided positive news, stating that it would go ahead on April 29 no matter the location.