John Fury doesn’t think a fight between WBA, WBO and IBF champion Oleksandr Usyk and former WBC champion Deontay Wilder would last very long at all.
Wilder has fought only once since the third and final fight in his historic trilogy with Tyson Fury. After a controversial draw in the first meeting, Wilder took two bruising and back-to-back knockout losses. He eventually got back into the ring in November 2022 for a one-round blowout of Robert Helenius, and since then has been strongly linked with fights against Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua, although neither has yet materialised.
In the same time period, Usyk stepped up to heavyweight, took three belts from Anthony Joshua, defended them against the Brit, and then knocked out Daniel Dubois in a second defense of his titles.
Speaking to Daily Mail Sport Boxing, Fury explained that he didn’t see a fight between Usyk and ‘The Bronze Bomber’ lasting long.
“For my money, Deontay Wilder, one round Usyk. Usyk wouldn’t get out of the first round with Deontay Wilder. That’s the honest truth. That’s the way I see it. A lot of boxing brains know that’s the truth.”
He then explained that he thinks none of the top contenders want to take on Wilder.
“Usyk’s avoided Wilder. Joshua’s avoided him, everybody in the top 5 has avoided him for one reason – he’s got that power that puts the lights out. That’s why the big Gypsy King stands alone and reigns supreme.”
Should Tyson Fury also be able to beat off the challenge of Usyk when the pair eventually meet later this year or early next, he would surely have the best CV of all the current heavyweights.