Tony Bellew has picked former foe Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Tyson Fury, ought to they meet this yr.
Fury and Usyk look like closing in on a showdown to crown the primary undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis, with the previous’s promoter, Frank Warren confirming to talkSPORT on Thursday that the battle will happen on April 29.
ESPN’s Mike Coppinger reported earlier this week that Usyk has agreed a cope with backers in Saudi Arabia, though ‘The Gyspy King’ is but to take action and Wembley Stadium stays the back-up possibility ought to a cope with Saudi Arabia not materialise.
Bellew, who was stopped by the Ukrainian in 2018 in a problem for the undisputed cruiserweight crown in Manchester, admits he has modified his thoughts on the end result of the bout after initially leaning in direction of WBC champion, Fury.
“I’ve at all times thought Fury’s going to be too large,” the 40-year-old told JOE.
“However the nearer that is drawing, I truly aspect in direction of Usyk.
“I truly suppose Usyk is the one one that may beat him.
“What I’ll say about Tyson Fury is, since linking up with SugarHill, his fashion has developed massively. He’s now not a feather-fisted fighter. He’s a heavy-handed, stress counter puncher.
“Thats’s the Kronk fashion that’s been carried out in him.
“I suppose it’s among the finest transformations I’ve ever seen in a fighter.
“I’ve at all times thought he’s gonna be a very enormous, awkward heavyweight that may be a nightmare to battle, however now he’s an enormous, awkward, harmful heavyweight.
“He’s truly added strings to his bow, so I feel he’s an excellent fighter.”
Usyk has not fought since retaining his unified WBA ‘tremendous’, WBO and IBF belts with a second victory over Anthony Joshua in August and the two-time world champion will look to turn into the primary fighter since Evander Holyfield to turn into undisputed champion at each cruiserweight and heavyweight and the primary within the four-belt period.
Former cruiserweight world champion, Bellew believes that Fury, who made a 3rd defence of his title with a victory over Derek Chisora of their trilogy conflict in December, believes he’ll face related troubles as he did when he battled Steve Cunningham in 2013, wherein the 34-year-old was compelled to climb off the canvas, earlier than stopping the American within the seventh spherical.
Nevertheless, the Liverpool native anticipates a maiden skilled defeat for the two-time heavyweight world champion when he meets the masterful 36-year-old.
“The one drawback is, at that type of weight and that type of dimension, he’s at all times going to be a step behind Oleksandr Usyk,” he added.
“Oleksandr Usyk has bought the best footwork on this planet. His ft are simply distinctive.
“I perceive the idea of Fury being the favorite getting in, but when anybody goes to beat him, it’s going to be Oleksandr Usyk, as a result of he’s fast sufficient to dart out and in all night time. He’s match sufficient. He’s sharp sufficient.
“To take his quote, the toughest he’s ever pushed was Steve Cunningham, a cruiserweight who dropped him.
“He dropped him, damage him and Tyson Fury was actually struggling along with his fashion.
“In case you suppose Steve Cunningham’s fashion is difficult, wait until you f***ing get within the ring with Oleksandr Usyk mate, imagine you me, as a result of his fashion is simply one other degree.
“He actually is. He’s simply distinctive.”