Ahead of the highly anticipated bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, former Cruiserweight World Champion Tony Bellew spoke exclusively to us here at BoyleSports to preview the action.
Bellew reveals why Fury is going to be in for the toughest fight of his life, hails Usyk for his technical abilities and for having ‘the best feet of any fighter ever’. The former British boxing star also talks to us about the time he almost fought Tyson Fury when he was in his prime, why he would have won that fight and why he didn’t want to fight Deontay Wilder even if he is a one-trick pony.
Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk Prediction
If Usyk and Fury Were the Same Size, Fury Would Lose
This is the first time ever that Tyson Fury is facing a boxer who is technically better than him. If Fury and Usyk were the same size the winner of this fight would not even be up for debate. Tyson Fury would not even win around if they were the same size and height.
Fury’s heavier and stronger and those are the only advantages I give him, in every department he's lesser. He doesn't have Usyk's feet, movement, or explosiveness. Fury potentially may be a better inside fighter, purely because Usyk doesn't allow people to fight that close. Whenever someone gets close to him his feet adjust and he adapts, he's got the greatest feet of any fighter ever.
I think Usyk will build an early lead and then make Fury chase. I think he's going to be ahead by four or five rounds and then it's going to be a chasing game for Fury. I think there will be some shaky moments for Usyk, there will be some low blows and big heavy shots. I think there will be some worrying moments for Usyk from about rounds five to nine. And then I think he dominates the championship rounds and wins a unanimous decision.
Tyson Fury’s Current Style Counts Against Him For Usyk Fight
Usyk won't need to close the distance, he draws you in, he'll bring you to him. The old version of Tyson Fury under Peter Fury has the best chance of defeating Usyk. Because that version of Fury got on his back foot and used his height and reach and his awkwardness to win fights. He'd have a far better chance.
The version of Tyson Fury under Sugar Hill Steward right now is an attacking, ferocious counterpuncher who presses the fight. That isn't going to beat Usyk, pressing him is exactly what he wants. It will play into his hands all day.
*Tyson Fury to win by KO, TKO or DQ is 10/3 according to the latest boxing betting odds at BoyleSports.
I Would Have Beaten Tyson Fury in My Prime as a Heavyweight!
I met up with Tyson Fury and we were going to fight each other because David Haye had pulled out of the rematch with me. We agreed on everything and Eddie Hearn just said 'no chance, we can't rely on him' and that got put to bed.
If I would have fought Tyson Fury when I was asking to fight him, there's no chance in the world he would have beaten me. He was three years out of the ring, off his cake drunk as a skunk for three years. And I was in the prime of my career, but he wanted a warm-up fight. I knew if he had one warm-up fight, he would have spanked me. He said 'Tony, I need a warm-up fight, if I don't, you have a good chance of beating me'. I said 'That's why I'm here'.
Deontay Wilder Has Arms Like Mr Tickle – I Didn’t Want Any Smoke
Deontay Wilder never really formed into anything. I had a bit of an argument with his brother and Deontay tried to get involved, but it got settled the next night when we were working together for Sky Sports.
I was willing to fight him to be honest, right until he hugged me. He's Mr Tickle, he has the longest arms I've ever seen in my life. His arms went right round my whole body and I thought 'f*** this'. I have no doubt I could have the beating of Wilder for 8-10 rounds. If it was a ten round contest I could possibly take it, but in a title fight that boy is going to catch me.
He's a bit of a one trick pony, but it's a hell of a trick and then you wake up in an ambulance, so I did not fancy that.
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