All going as planned, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will face off in London on April 29 for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world, crowning the division’s first sole champion since Lennox Lewis.
Usyk – who brings the WBA, WBO and IBF straps to the table – has previously held all belts at cruiserweight and beat Anthony Joshua twice to get himself into this position.
Fury, who is the WBC champion, returned from a hiatus to dethrone long-reigning American champion, Deontay Wilder, and looks to secure his spot as the best of a generation with a win here.
Much has been made of Usyk’s size going into the bout, with many believing that the 270lb Brit will be a step too far on his heavyweight journey. On the other hand, some in the sport believe the Ukrainian’s elite movement and skill will be the perfect answer to Fury’s domination.
Boxing social have gathered some predictions and breakdowns from the world of boxing for what is arguably the biggest fight in the sport.
Mike Tyson
“Tyson Fury proved over and over again he’s the best. And I respect Deontay Wilder, Usyk – but the most respect I possess [is for Tyson Fury.] He’s the champ, he’s the reigning champ, and he’s gonna be the champ for as long a time as he chooses – unless we get some new guy up.”
Prediction: Tyson Fury win. Read full article here.
Carl Froch
“I think Fury vs Usyk is a great fight. Short and sweet, I think Fury’s too big for him.”
“I think Usyk will be clever early on, but at some stage Tyson Fury will get close to him, lean on him, bully him and start hitting him with shots.”
“He’ll hit him with a couple of upper cuts like he did Dillian Whyte, and I think that’ll be fight over. He’s just too big and too good.”
“My prediction is that Fury knocks him out.”
Prediction: Tyson Fury win. Read full article here.
Hasim Rahman
“I think Usyk will win.
I think Usyk is the best heavyweight that’s currently fighting today. I think Fury imitates Usyk, and he’s had a lot of success with it – fighting plodding, slow heavyweights [who aren’t] really boxing like that. Everything Fury can do in boxing, Usyk can do it better.”
Prediction: Usyk win. Read full article here.
Tony Bellew
“I’ve always thought Fury’s going to be too big, but the closer this has drawn I actually side towards Usyk. I think Usyk is the only one that can beat him.
What I will say about Tyson Fury is, since linking up with SugarHill, his style has evolved massively. He is no longer a feather fisted fighter. He’s a heavy handed, pressure counter puncher.
I think it’s one of the best transformations I’ve ever seen in a fighter … I’ve always thought he’s gonna be a really huge, awkward heavyweight that is a nightmare to fight, but now he’s a big, awkward, dangerous heavyweight.”
Prediction: Usyk win.Read full article here.
David Price
“What Tyson Fury does better than anyone is uses his size to his advantage. That’s one of his biggest strengths. Watching him against Derek Chisora. He towered of Derek Chisora. Now I’m a little bit taller than Tyson Fury, but I gave my height away when I boxed a little bit.”
“He’s an expert at being the big man, and I just think he’ll big man Usyk … I think he’ll lean all over him, he’ll fight dirty, and I think he’ll win probably a bit of a scruffy fight.”
“I think it’ll be a Fury win on points.”
Prediction: Tyson Fury win.Read full article here.
Daniel Dubois
“I think Fury all the way.
Usyk is a good fighter, he’s a tricky guy but I feel like Fury has got the experience and he’s proven himself.”
Prediction: Tyson Fury win. Read full article here.
Ricky Hatton
“I can’t see past Tyson. I can’t see him losing against anyone to be honest with you. But Usyk’s an Olympic Gold Medalist, undisputed cruiserweight, heavyweight champion of the world – so if anybody’s got a chance of beating Tyson it’s Usyk.
I just think [Fury] beats him in all areas. He’s taller, he’s bigger, he’s heavier, he’s stronger. He can fight southpaw or orthodox. Fight up close, fight at a distance. I think it’s hard to look against Tyson.”
Prediction: Tyson Fury win. Read full article here.
George Groves
“You’ve asked me the question that I have the unpopular opinion on. I’m such an Usyk fan. I don’t know if he is big enough to challenge Fury if Fury’s really on it and up for it.
But, when it comes to ability, Usyk’s the best heavyweight in the world by a country mile, in my opinion. I don’t know. I’ll just go Usyk cause I’m an Usyk fan boy.”
Prediction: Usyk win. Read full article here.
Johnny Nelson
“In my opinion, I’d say Tyson Fury wins. Too big, too strong, too smart – in and out of the ring.
I think it’ll be lost in translation if he tries any of the old mind games, Usyk won’t be aware of that. But fighting is about the build up to it, the mental aspect and how you approach it.”
Tyson Fury has proved himself to be a fully fledged fighting man, and a big one at that. So it’s Usyk who has to prove that now matter how big Fury is, he can make him fall.
But I’m going Tyson Fury on this one.”
Prediction: Tyson Fury win. Read full article here.
Shane McGuigan
“The way to beat someone with that movement is to fire into the body, keep it in the centre of the ring and keep him backed up. Usyk loves to command the pace and loves to command the centre.
If I’m Tyson Fury, I’m going to be using my size, using my physicality, wear him down and make him feel that weight advantage.
I’d say Fury wins on points.”
Prediction: Tyson Fury win. Read full article here.
Most people in the know are siding with ‘The Gypsy King’ to hand Usyk his first defeat and leave the ring with all four heavyweight belts – but Usyk has upset the odds before.