‘A Knockout Plan Could Backfire’ – Anthony Joshua, Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis’ Boxing World Predicts Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
Experts are divided on who they think will win between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
The heavyweight titans are set to clash on May 18 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the four major bodyweight belts in the glamor division.
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It will be the first time in 24 years that the undisputed title will be on the line in boxing’s flagship weight class.
In 1999, Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield for the WBC, WBA and IBF belts, although the WBO strap was not a recognized world title.
Now, WBC champion Fury and WBO, WBA and IBF titlist Usyk face off for boxing’s ultimate prize with the world watching.
As is often the case with fights of this magnitude, everyone has their own vision of how things will play out.
And here, talkSPORT.com has condensed all of these opinions into one place as we review the industry’s standout picks for Fury vs Usyk.
Who supports Fury?
Prince Naseem Hamed
British boxing legend and former featherweight champion Prince Naseem Hamed believes Fury will beat Usyk on points.
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“I hope Tyson Fury wins this fight on points,” he told Drivetime on talkSPORT.
“I believe if he gets up in the 12th round, he will raise his hand no matter what happens.
“I think it’s going to be a tough fight. All I want him to do is get up.
“Stand up at the end of the 12th round and, God willing, it should be a points win for him (Fury).”
Mike Tyson
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The former undisputed heavyweight champion is backing Fury to join him among an elite group of undisputed heavyweight champions.
He told FightHub TV: “I’m going with Tyson Fury. I think he’s going to overpower him, catch him and overpower him, that’s what I think but I could be wrong.
“The little guys are hard to fight because they’re harder to hit because they’re smaller.
“He runs a lot, he moves a lot, Tyson will probably have a few rounds to get used to his moments but it’s going to be difficult, he’s very small, very fast.”
Deontay Wilder
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Former WBC champion Wilder believes Fury’s size will be too big for Usyk.
“Fury’s size is what allows him to have more success. When I see him against Usyk, I see how they fooled (Steve) Cunningham with that clubbing, putting all his weight on him and clubbing him, and I could see him doing the same thing with Usyk, putting all his weight on him,” Wilder told Fight Hub TV.
“I think Usyk has more skills, but as far as size and stuff, I don’t think he’ll be able to compete with Fury’s size. But who knows, that’s just my opinion .”
Lennox Lewis
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Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion, expects Fury to return to his best against Usyk.
“I believe Tyson Fury has great attributes, he’s big, he can box in both positions, he can go forward,” he told talkSPORT’s Spencer Oliver.
“At the moment it is difficult to beat a bigger player, so I will always say the bigger one has the advantage.
“I think Tyson Fury has points, but I’m not counting Usyk.”
Who supports Usyk?
Antoine Joshua
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Joshua picks his old foe to win the four-belt shootout.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Well, look, I fought Oleksandr Usyk, so I can only talk about what I experienced from him.
“A phenomenal fighter, he does everything wonderfully and I would say he is going to do a very good job.
“I’ve never fought Tyson Fury, so I can’t really speak to how he’s going to play or what it means to face him, so speaking only of what I know, I would have to say that Oleksandr Usyk will be victorious.”
Eddie Hearn
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Promoter Hearn was originally on Fury’s side, but has since made a U-turn.
The Matchroom Boxing chief told talkSPORT Drive: “I think (the postponement) is going to help Fury fitness-wise, he looks in great shape.
“I saw a video of Usyk the other day, he looks in great shape.
“My choice goes back and forth. I went with Fury, now I’m with Usyk.
“But I want Fury to win the fight. I really believe the fight with AJ can happen if he wins.
“It’s a pure 50/50 fight, it’s one of the best fights you can have in boxing, it’s the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.
“Four weeks you will see this fight, without a doubt.”
Tony Bellew
The former cruiserweight fought Usyk and told talkSPORT a change in his coaches could have swung the fight in the Ukrainian’s favor.
“(Tyson Fury) is a fighter who loves to pressure fighters and go for a knockout under the guidance of the brilliant SugarHill Steward at the Kronk.
“He’s a different fighter now, he’s someone who’s looking for the knockout and that’s music to Oleksandr Usyk’s ears. I know, because I’ve been there with him, that the boy is exceptional at what he does.”
George Groves
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Groves believes Usyk will “comfortably” win the fight undisputed.
“I think Usyk wins, I think he’s in better shape,” Groves told Grosvenor Sport.
“I know people are attacking him a little bit for Dubois’ performance but I thought he was very, very good. Usyk was in total control and stopped him.
“Usyk is going to take Fury out of his comfort zone, Fury is a big unit and he carries a lot of weight and if Usyk makes him work harder than before then it will be a tough night for him.
“Usyk goes into a fight and every round he intensifies it.
“I think he’s in better shape, I’m going against Fury’s natural size and picking Usyk. I think he’s winning pretty comfortably.”
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