Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk look set to finally face each other in the ring to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Both Fury and Usyk’s team have confirmed they have put pen to paper on a deal to fight in Saudi Arabia during Riyadh Season to settle the debate as to who is the number one in the division.
One man with a unique insight into the matchup is British heavyweight, Dave Allen. The 31-year old has been drafted in as a sparring partner for both camps in the past and says from his experience one man is simply a ‘level above’.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, Allen still has his doubts the fight gets made but is picking ‘The Gypsy King’ to get the better of the Ukrainian if they do meet.
“I’m still not sure it will happen to be honest, I’ve still got my doubts. I still think Fury wins whether it happens tomorrow, December 23rd or February, July, but we’ll see. I think Fury wins if it happens but for me it’s still a big if.
I don’t agree that Usyk is only dangerous for the first six rounds, if anyone is going to win the early rounds it’s going to be Fury. I don’t think Usyk hit’s hard enough to knock him out to be honest, Tyson’s just too big.
They’re so similar, really similar people, I think they’d get on really well but they’d kill each other. I think Fury wins but seeing is believing.
I sparred Fury for seven years, I sparred Usyk and he nearly chinned me but I hadn’t eaten for two weeks, I’d just lost 16lbs. Fury a level above in every aspect to be honest.”
Fury must first get past former UFC champion Francis Ngannou on October 28 before he can set his sights on the history making fight against Usyk.