Boxing legend, Evander Holyfield, has revealed what Oleksandr Usyk said to him when they met and has made his prediction for the rumoured undisputed title fight between with Tyson Fury.
Holyfield and Usyk are part of an exclusive club of fighters who have been cruiserweight and heavyweight champions, with David Haye being the only other man to have held a world title at both weights.
As Usyk prepares to fight WBC champion, Fury, he aims to join Holyfield as just the second fighter to become the undisputed champion in both divisions.
In an interview with iFL TV, Holyfield told of his experience of meeting Oleksandr Usyk and of his confidence in the Ukrainian.
“I remember being overseas and Usyk told me ‘I’m going to do the same thing that you did’ and he’s almost done it. If he fights Tyson Fury he would.
When I look at the fight, both of the guys are good fighters but the smaller guy has got faster hands. If the big guy doesn’t make the smaller guy fight like him, the smaller guy will win. That is the reason why I went up [in weight], because I realised that I was quicker than everybody.”
Whilst Holyfield’s achievements are extremely respected in the sport, even the man himself admitted that it may be a more difficult task these days due to the size and skill of modern heavyweights.
“[Height] makes a lot [of difference]. The fact of the matter is that, back in my day, guys that are too big, they would call them goofy. Now, these big guys have got the rhythm and the balance and everything that a smaller guy have, so it is difficult.”
As negotiations continue for the Fury-Usyk fight, the Ukrainian’s team are pushing for the bout to take place before March 4th.
Meanwhile, Fury’s hopes of the fight taking place in his home country appear to be diminishing by the day, with the Middle East becoming the clear favourites to host the fight.