After coming through a tougher-than-expected fight against Francis Ngannou, Tyson Fury now moves forward to an undisputed heavyweight title clash with Oleksandr Usyk.
The two champions have already signed the contract to face off, and the fight is expected to land in Saudi Arabia in early 2024.
‘The Gypsy King’ suffered a knockdown in the third round against Ngannou, who was fighting as a professional boxer for the first time following a successful run in mixed martial arts.
Because of the Brit’s apparent struggles, Malik Scott, trainer of Deontay Wilder, told FightHype that his prediction for the four-belt Usyk fight has changed once again.
“My pick was always Usyk until I seen Usyk and Dubois fight. It went from 70/30 for Fury after that fight. But looking at Usyk last night, man, I don’t even know if he could keep up with Usyk’s feet. I don’t even know if he could keep up with his look, with his feints.
My prediction was Fury wouldn’t even allow Francis to get into the position to punch him hard, but this vulnerable Fury gives anybody a chance to get at him. This vulnerable, extra-heavy Fury, he can’t get out the way how he used to. Anybody that got some know-how, they got a hell of a chance at beating him. God forbid it they can punch real heard.
If I was a betting man I would bet on Usyk to win that fight after that performance last night. Usyk is a smaller man and I believe he would handle Francis a lot better than Fury did.”
In a separate interview with ES News, Scott doubled down on his prediction.
“He’ll beat this Fury. His feet will be too much for this Fury. Even though I though Fury technically won this fight, I don’t know about father time, he’s an old 35 because he’s been in three fights with Wilder.”
Scott knows Fury well, having prepared Wilder to face him in the third of three fights between the pair. His man managed to knock the Brit down twice, but was ultimately stopped himself in a thrilling heavyweight clash that saw Fury retain his title.
It’s that WBC belt that will be on the line against Usyk’s WBA, WBO and IBF when they clash next year – although the Ukrainian is still pushing for December 23.