American heavyweight, Michael Hunter, has shown his appreciation for unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, as a historic undisputed title fight looms against Tyson Fury.
Usyk became just the third fighter to win world titles at both cruiserweight and heavyweight, when he defeated Anthony Joshua in 2021, joining Evander Holyfield and David Haye in the exclusive club.
Now, the WBA, WBO & IBF champion has the opportunity to join Holyfield as only the second fighter to have been undisputed champion in both weight classes, as well as making history by becoming the first ever four-belt heavyweight king.
“The Bounty” Hunter fought Usyk for the WBO cruiserweight world title back in 2017, where he lost to a unanimous decision.
In an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, Hunter showed his respect for Usyk and predicted a draw for the upcoming fight against, and warned Fury that he’s a big guys worst enemy.
“I think it will be a draw. Usyk is going to give him problems, but I think that Tyson Fury is so big and stuff like that. The way that it is going to start off is by looking like Tyson Fury is winning and then towards the end, Usyk might edge it out, I think they might call it a draw and they can do it again.”
“I fought Usyk, he is persistent, not even necessarily his conditioning because I have seen him get tired. He knows how to work through being tired and he knows how to play the game, he is a masterful chess player and I hope I get to play with him again one day.”
“Somebody that is a little bit smaller, that can handle a big guy, is always going to be a big guys worst enemy.”
As for Hunter, the 34-year-old failed to have a fight in 2022, after a proposed bout with Hughie Fury was cancelled. Instead, Hunter is set to return to the ring on March 18th in Las Vegas, although an opponent is yet to be announced.