Hasim Rahman’s name is forever etched in the history books because of his spectacular underdog win over Lennox Lewis, and he now feels Oleksandr Usyk can do the same to Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian former undisputed Cruiserweight champion has long been mooted as the next opponent for Fury, with ‘The Gypsy King’ saying it ‘has to happen.’
So far, nothing has yet been confirmed but the talk amongst fighters past and present continues. Following Mike Tyson’s comments that he believes Fury will ‘pound’ on Usyk, Rahman has come out with an opposite view.
Speaking to FightHype he explained why he thinks the smaller Usyk will cause Fury problems and could get the knockout most predict will happen the other way round.
“I think if he wants to keep his legacy intact he should [fight Usyk.] I think Usyk can beat him.
I think Tyson Fury’s biggest advantage is that most heavyweights are really slow and he uses the boxing against them, but if he goes against a boxer, like a guy like [former foe] Steve Cunningham, well Usyk is in his prime in the heavyweight division and I think he can beat Tyson Fury. [Fury’s size would be an advantage] with most heavyweights who just stand in front of you that Fury could lean on and grab but Usyk is not that type of fighter, he’s not going to allow him to just use his weight, and his size, in fact, he’s going to use his weight and size against him.
He’s going to use spurts of boxing and do that the whole 12 rounds and I think Tyson walking around all 200 pounds he’s going to gas out. Usyk will make him exhausted and probably knock him out.”
Fans might not have to wait long to see if Rahman’s prediction comes true.
Usyk has just signed to Saudi Skill Challenge Entertainment, who recently confirmed they would be sending over a ‘premium offer’ to Tyson Fury in hopes of finally making the undisputed fight.