The longest reigning world cruiserweight champion of all time, Johnny Nelson, has had his say on the big heavyweight undisputed scrap between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
Decades on from the division’s last single champion, Lennox Lewis, Fury and Usyk look set to meet in early 2023 to crown the next one. The British fighter puts his WBC belt on the line, whilst the Ukrainian will bring the WBA, IBF, and WBO straps to the party.
Predictions so far seem to be mostly concerned with the size difference in the fight, with Fury having a considerable height and weight advantage on his foe – a cruiserweight just five fights ago.
Nelson, who also believes size will be a deciding factor, told Boxing Social that he had no doubts on the outcome.
“I think Tyson Fury. I think Tyson Fury can do everything Usyk does, but he’s a bigger version of him. Usyk may have a bit of smooth about his work, a good big ‘un will always beat a good little ‘un.
“Tyson Fury knows every angle of fighting – to box, to bash, to box dirty, to box clean, to psychologically get into a man long before the fight starts. I don’t doubt Tyson Fury beats Usyk.”
As far as odds go, Fury will enter the ring the favourite – but that’s not deterring Usyk or his team. In fact, one of his coaches recently said that the contest would be no harder than Anthony Joshua, whom he beat twice.
Thankfully for fans, it doesn’t seem like it’ll be long until we find out. Talks are ongoing, but things are looking increasingly positive for a late February or early March date in the Middle East.
An announcement this side of the new year isn’t out of the question.