Fury and Usyk have similar, artful styles. Photo: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield
Tyson Fury could become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world on Saturday night when he faces Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated unification bout.
Heavyweight boxing has never had an undisputed champion heavyweight since 1999, and a win for Fury would cement his status as the best of his generation. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport, Fury said he doesn't think about legacy and his only priority is “getting money”.
However, Usyk promises to be a tough opponent, retaining his IBF, WBA and WBO titles. titles when he stopped Daniel Dubois in the ninth round of his previous fight.
Fury is looking to bounce back from his last fight, when he was knocked out by former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, before winning a split decision.
This is what the great and good of the boxing world predict.
“Usyk is too smart”
George Groves, former world middleweight champion
“Usyk is too smart to fall into the trap of a bigger guy getting on top of him and using his size against him. He hits at amazing angles, he can hit you at angles where he can touch you three, four, five times before he hits you hard. He's done it over and over again, since he moved up to heavyweight, he hasn't done it. I put my foot wrong. I think he will be the favorite.”
“Imagine if Usyk was the same size as Fury”
Tony Bellew, former world heavyweight champion
“Usyk will win, and I think the fight will be a really high-quality chess match. If Usyk was the same size as Tyson Fury, he wouldn't lose a round, let alone a fight. The reason we write him off so often is because he is much smaller and because he is the former king of the heavyweight division. That’s why this fight is so exciting.”
“I’ll continue with what I know – Usyk.”
Anthony Joshua, former world heavyweight champion
“Usyk does everything brilliantly. I've never fought Tyson Fury, so I can't judge how he'll perform. So, I will continue what I know – Usyk.”
“Usyk will not allow Fury to bend”
Carl Froch, former world super middleweight champion
“What is Usik like now, 37 years old? So, he's slowing down, but he has the ability to have a couple of close rounds and not lose the round and say, “Yeah, I fought there.” He goes back to his corner and just lays it down. He uses more feints, more footwork, more aggression in his body language, he doesn't even have to throw punches. He won't let Fury just lean on him and weigh him down.”
“No one could defeat Usik”
David Haye, former two-weight world champion
“Very technical fight. Both are very smart, both can adapt. I like Fury's look. I like his attitude towards it. I like Fury's resistance and I think he can take risks early, but I just have a feeling that in a very close fight the judges will be split. No one has been able to beat the master boxer Usyk.”
“Fury is in better shape than I expected.”
Malik Scott, Deontay Wilder's trainer
“As for the winner, I would pick Usyk, but at the same time Fury is big and knows how to use his size. Fury is in better shape than I expected. He's not slow, he has good punching power and a good boxing mind. This is a good fight on paper. But we'll see what happens.”
“Fury is hard to beat”
Conor McGregor, former UFC champion
“Usik is a cunning, cunning boxer. If anyone can do it, perhaps Usyk can do it. [But] Tyson is also a skilled boxer, and he has size. Tyson is difficult to beat in the boxing arena.” “Fury can increase his size”
Lennox Lewis, the last unified heavyweight champion of the world
“Intriguing for four rounds, maybe like physical chess as they see each other well, but Fury for me is the winner on points. Interesting matchup, both have skill and combat IQ. Fury wins because he can impose his size on Usyk.”
“Fury is a bigger version of Usyk”
Oscar de la Hoya, former world champion in three weights
“Former three-weight world champion sees two very similar fighters: “I think Tyson Fury is a bigger version of Usyk. He has speed, he has power, he is very versatile. I'll have to choose Tyson.”
“We could get a controversial draw”
Gareth A. Davis, Telegraph boxing correspondent
“Fury and Usyk are so experienced that they can cancel each other out. The second fight is scheduled for October/November. It's entirely possible that things will start cautiously, and if the physical chess match continues, we could end up with a controversial draw. If I had insisted on an outright win, what I've seen this week would have me leaning towards Fury, on points or even a late stoppage.”
“They'll tie each other up”
Michael Buffer , announcer
“Man, I like both guys so much that I can’t pick a winner. They are both great people and great champions. They will equalize each other.”
“Fury will defeat him”
Mike Tyson, former world heavyweight champion
“Tyson Fury… will defeat Usik, and Fury will become stronger as the battle continues. Fury is number 1 in the division.”
“Fury on points”
Carl Frampton, former two-weight world champion
“I just see the bigger man Fury uses his size to his advantage in this fight. Technically, you can make a case for Usik to win, but for me on points it’s Fury.”
“Usik is the superior fighter”
Evander Holyfield, former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world< br />“Fury doesn’t do some things so well. Usik is a faster and more mobile fighter. A better fighter. He fights both inside and outside very well. I see Usyk doing his job and I see him as a better fighter.
“Fury will beat Usyk”
Derek Chisora
“Tyson will win this fight. He will take Usyk downstairs. Usyk is smart, he is elusive, but Fury will have his own number.”
“Fury will show his best side”
Johnny Nelson, former world heavyweight champion
“As long as the best Tyson Fury comes along, he will beat Usyk. But if Fury fought Francis Ngannou in the ring in Riyadh, he will be outboxed and lose to Usyk on points. But judging by the look of Fury, he will show his best side.”
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