Tony Bellew thinks there is one big secret weapon that Tyson Fury is missing when it comes to his fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Bellew has been up close and personal with Usyk having fought him for the undisputed cruiserweight title and all four belts that go with it back in 2018.
Bellew boxed as well as he ever did in the early rounds, keeping Usyk at bay and landing punches of his own while staying tight with his defence. However, Usyk eventually caught up with a by-then exhausted Bellew and knocked him out in the 8th round.
Since then, Usyk has moved up to heavyweight and beaten the likes of Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua twice across 24 rounds, and most recently last August, Daniel Dubois.
On May 18 comes his sternest test as he aims to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world by beating Fury, who currently holds the WBC and lineal titles and is Lennox Lewis’s tip to win.
Speaking to Boyle Sports, Bellew gave his view on the contest.
“Usyk won’t need to close the distance, he draws you in, he’ll bring you to him. The old version of Tyson Fury under Peter Fury has the best chance of defeating Usyk.
“Because that version of Fury got on his back foot and used his height and reach and his awkwardness to win fights. He’d have a far better chance. The version of Tyson Fury under Sugar Hill Steward right now is an attacking, ferocious counterpuncher who presses the fight. That isn’t going to beat Usyk, pressing him is exactly what he wants. It will play into his hands all day.
“This is the first time ever that Tyson Fury is facing a boxer who is technically better than him. If Fury and Usyk were the same size the winner of this fight would not even be up for debate. Tyson Fury would not even win around if they were the same size and height.”
Bellew then listed the areas where he feels Fury is better than Usyk.
“Fury’s heavier and stronger and those are the only advantages I give him, in every department he’s lesser. He doesn’t have Usyk’s feet, movement, or explosiveness.
“Fury potentially may be a better inside fighter, purely because Usyk doesn’t allow people to fight that close. Whenever someone gets close to him his feet adjust and he adapts, he’s got the greatest feet of any fighter ever.
I think Usyk will build an early lead and then make Fury chase. I think he’s going to be ahead by four or five rounds and then it’s going to be a chasing game for Fury. I think there will be some shaky moments for Usyk, there will be some low blows and big heavy shots.
“I think there will be some worrying moments for Usyk from about rounds five to nine. And then I think he dominates the championship rounds and wins a unanimous decision.”
Despite Bellew’s predictions, Fury is not coming off the best run of form having struggled with boxing debutant Francis Ngannou last time out.
Back in February, he suffered a cut late in camp which put back the original fight date and has left many wondering how that will affect things when the fight does happen.
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