Hasim Rahman has made up his mind on what happens when Tyson Fury faces Oleksandr Usyk, and even the better-than-expected showing of Francis Ngannou hasn’t changed his thoughts.
Fury and Usyk are set to face one another in the first undisputed fight for 24 years in February. It is a long overdue contest that sees the WBC and lineal champion Fury and IBF, WBO, WBA and Ring Magazine king Usyk go at it for all of the major titles.
Usyk is in good form having beaten Anthony Joshua in back-to-back fights across 2021 and 2022 to win and then defend the three world titles.
He put them on the line again this year with a knockout win over Daniel Dubois, while Fury has fought Dillian Whyte and Derek Chisora for a third time in the last 18 months, but most recently he took on former UFC champion Ngannou.
It was a 10-round contest that was much more difficult for Fury than anyone expected. He was knocked down in the third but went on to take a split decision points win.
Speaking to Pro Boxing Fans, former champion Rahman, who spoke recently about his favourite win, was asked who comes out on top between Fury and Usyk.
“I like Usyk in that fight, and it’s not just because of the Ngannou fight. I think Tyson thrives on lazy heavyweights. Usyk is not lazy. He can out Tyson Fury Tyson Fury.”
He was then asked if he had seen the decline in Fury that some people have been discussing.
“I don’t think he took Ngannou that seriously. Obviously, when you fight you have to bring your a-game every time. Maybe there was a decline in the camp, which means there would be a decline in the fight. What you do in preparation will show up in the fight.”