Tyson Fury looks to become undisputed heavyweight champion in his next bout, the only man who stands in his way being Oleksandr Usyk, who wants to emulate the achievements of one Evander Holyfield.
‘The Real Deal’ Holyfield is the only fighter to become undisputed champion at both cruiser and heavyweight, but will be joined in the extremely exclusive club by Usyk should be be able to beat Fury.
Roy Jones Jr – also a champ at heavyweight as well as three other divisions – has predicted a fantasy fight between the Morecambe man and Holyfield as fans await the next undisputed fight.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Jones said Holyfield’s struggle with Riddick Bowe – one win and two losses – tell him Fury would come out the victor.
“Riddick Bowe gave Evander Holyfield all kinds of problems. He’s not even as tall as Fury, so I definitely go with Tyson Fury on that one.”
Holyfield’s career was far from over with the final loss to Bowe. He fought for sixteen more years, beating Mike Tyson twice and drawing with Lennox Lewis before losing in their rematch.
Fury will hope that his size is indeed a positive factor when he steps in with Usyk on February 17. The fight is set for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the Brit has plenty of questions to answer following a below-par performance against MMA star Francis Ngannou.
Should he win, he has confirmed that he will vacate all belts other than the WBC and Ring Magazine. There’s a two-way rematch clause that is the loser’s to activate so, like Holyfield and Lewis, the pair will likely run it back.