George Groves has been vocal in his prediction for Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury, and even had to justify it to the WBC Heavyweight World Champion’s face.
Fury will put his one belt against Usyk’s WBO, WBA and IBF on February 17 to crown the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis.
Fans are expecting a technical contest from two of the best tacticians in the division, and Groves has felt for some time now that the Ukrainian has what it takes to negate the massive weight, height and reach advantage to emerge victorious.
Speaking to Grosvenor Casinos, he said he even justified it to Fury.
“I think Usyk wins, I think he’s in better form. I know people are attacking him a bit for the Dubois performance but I thought he was very, very good. Usyk was in full control and stopped him. Usyk will take Fury out of his comfort zone, Fury’s a big unit and he carries a lot of weight and if Usyk makes him work harder than he used to then it’s going to be a tough night for him. Usyk builds into a fight and each round he cranks it up.
I think he’s in better form, I’m going against the natural size of Fury, and I’m picking Usyk. I think he wins quite comfortably. Fury pulled me backstage once and he said ‘hey, why are you picking Usyk to win’ and I said ‘Tyson, someone’s got to pick him’.”
Fury is currently training in Saudi Arabia, his team keeping any pictures or information close to their chests in preparation for the fight of his career even despite hisclaims he will only be preparing for five weeks and it’s no different to any other camp.