Popular heavyweight Dave Allen has helped both Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury prepare for fights in the gym.
In fact, the Doncaster man even retired following a particularly bruising sparring session with the Ukrainian, although that devision has since been reversed.
With his latest win over Daniel Dubois, Usyk has called out Fury once more for an undisputed fight. Speaking to Boxing UK, Allen said that his team should hold out for that or nothing.
“I think Usyk wants Fury for definite. I think he wanted around this time period. Usyk knows he’s ain’t getting no younger. He is a naturally smaller man – I think he’s coming to the end of his tether. I think the best Usyk has probably been and gone now. But the kind of fella he is, he wants to fight for undisputed.
I think he’ll be pushing for the Fury fight. It’s probably the biggest money as well. I think, at this point now, there are many heavyweights out there that will fancy their chances with him. Naturally smaller guy, 37 next. If I’m looking after Usyk, I’m saying it’s Fury or nothing at all at this point.”
As for a prediction, Allen is backing Fury to win a competitive fight after watching Usyk’s outing against Dubois.
“We have to appreciate Usyk while he’s here, because I don’t think he’ll be there for too much longer. I think he’s come to the stage where he’s there for the beating.”
“It’s difficult. Tyson’s not getting any younger. He’s doing his Netflix documentaries, fighting Ngannou next. If he doesn’t put Ngannou in a couple rounds we’re gonna say he’s not the force of old. You’re only as good as your last fight.”
“Usyk is there for the beating for definite … I guess we’ll come back to this conversation after the Ngannou fight, but as it stands Fury has to be favourite. He’s bigger, he’s stronger, he’s a good body puncher. Usyk is a genius and, at the very least, he’ll give anyone in boxing history a lot of problems.”
Unfortunately for fans, a fresh mandatory has been called for the Ukrainian, who holds three of the four major belts in the heavyweight division. The IBF’s Filip Hrgovic is now next up, and has no intention of waiting for Fury to get a shot first.