Former Oleksandr Usyk opponent, Michael Hunter, has given his prediction for an undisputed heavyweight fight between the Ukrainian and Tyson Fury.
Usyk and Fury are deep in negotiations to stage the legacy-defining clash – one which would crown a sole champion in the division for the first time since Lennox Lewis.
Hunter first told Pro Boxing Fans that he thought Usyk might take a closely-fought contest, however he quickly changed his opinion to a draw with the fight playing out in two halves.
“I think Usyk edges it just by a little … Man, I think it’s gonna be a draw. I think it’ll be a draw. I think Usyk’s gonna give him problems but I think that Tyson Fury’s so big that and stuff like that.
The way it’s gonna start off is it’s gonna look like Tyson Fury’s winning, and then towards the end Usyk might edge it out. I think they’ll call it a draw and make them do it again.”
Hunter lost a unanimous decision to the Ukrainian in the cruiserweight ranks back in 2017. Three fights later, Usyk would be undisputed at 200lb and beginning to form his plan to attempt the same at heavyweight.
Hunter has since joined him in the sport’s premier division, although he’s yet to really kick start his campaign despite a win over Martin Bakole and a contentious draw with Alexander Povetkin.
Looking back on the fight, the American highlighted his opponent’s strengths and said he wasn’t surprised of his success a division up.
“He’s persistent. Not even necessarily his conditioning, cause I’ve seen him get tired, but he knows how to work through being tired. He knows how to play the game. He’s a masterful chess player, and I hope I get to play with him again one day.”
“Someone that’s a little bit smaller and can handle a big guy is always gonna be a big guy’s worst enemy.”
As Hunter looks to climb his way up the rankings, a Fury and Usyk four-belt fight is still looking likely for April of this year.