Boxing royalty predict result of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 ahead of blockbuster heavyweight rematch
TYSON FURY and Oleksandr Usyk meet once again in a rematch that has the boxing world divided.
In May, Usyk became the first man to hold all four undisputed heavyweight titles while also becoming the first to inflict defeat on Fury.
But now they rematch seventh months later, with Fury bulking up to 20 STONE in a bid to gain revenge.
With opinions torn, SunSport runs down how some of boxing’s top experts see the fight going.
DANIEL DUBOIS (IBF heavyweight champion)
“May the best man win, I just want to fight the winner. Something tells me Usyk will do it again.
“He has luck on his side and he has skills, has the backing of his people and fights for his country.”
PREDICTION: “As a fellow Brit I want Tyson but I feel Usyk wins.”
LENNOX LEWIS (former undisputed world heavyweight champion)
“Usyk is going to be on Fury again, from round one.
“Fury will come in a bit heavier and not move around as much and put more punches together to drive Usyk to the ropes and take advantage there.”
PREDICTION: “Anything can happen in a fight between heavies.”
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FABIO WARDLEY (British heavyweight champion)
“Those tippy-tappy punches got Fury in trouble.
“But just trying to be more aggressive could work against him as Usyk loves to be fleet-footed around the ring.”
PREDICTION: “I lean to Usyk. He will have made the right adjustments and narrowly comes out with the win.”
MOSES ITAUMA (Heavyweight prospect and Fury sparring partner)
“Tyson’s one of the best heavyweights of the generation.”
PREDICTION: “The problem with winning a fight is you wake up every morning a winner and that’s not a good mentality to have in boxing.
“You want to wake up as the loser, so that gives Fury the upperhand.”
DEREK CHISORA (Lost three times to Fury and once to Usyk)
“Do I believe Tyson can beat Oleksandr?
“I don’t think the sparring partners I have seen him with will have pushed him enough. And Usyk knows he can hurt him now.”
PREDICTION: “I would love Tyson Fury to win the fight but the odds for him are not looking good.”
DUKE MCKENZIE (British three-time world champion)
“When you get hit and hurt, as a pro, you are taught to hide and disguise it.
“That’s what we saw with Usyk. We’re told Fury will be bigger and bully Usyk. That won’t work, it’ll make him slower and more predictable.”
PREDICTION: “Usyk wins all day long.”
CARL FRAMPTON (Two-weight world champion)
“I think the big man threw it away, I really do. There was too much clowning around early on and it was his downfall.
“Fury has to be more aggressive as Usyk was exhausted afterwards, because he is the much smaller man.”
PREDICTION: “I could see a draw but Fury to win.”
GEORGE GROVES (Former super-middleweight world champion)
“Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world right now. He won the fight and that was probably Fury’s best display.
“He needs to have his lead hand above Usyk’s lead southpaw right hand, so he can control him.”
PREDICTION: “I’m going Usyk. Fury’s fantastic but Usyk is special.”
Fury vs Usyk 2 - top stories
READ MORE on all the build-up to the blockbuster fight in Riyadh..
All the info:
- Everything you need to know about the biggest fight of the year
- How much are Fury and Usyk getting paid?
- Who is on the undercard for the huge event?
News, features and interviews:
- Fury and Usyk separated by security with neither budging for 10 MINUTES
- EXCLUSIVE: Fury’s trainer reveals weapon that will be crucial in the fight
- Five changes Fury has made for the fight
- Fury’s terrifying rant as he promises to put Usyk ‘in the hurt locker’
- EXCLUSIVE: Fury can’t beat Usyk, says Eubank Jr
- COMMENT: Usyk spoiled golden age of British heavyweights
FRANK WARREN (Tyson Fury’s hall-of-fame promoter)
“Usyk has a big weakness Tyson should have exposed more — his body. But, I am telling you something, that will be rectified.
“If Tyson is still the same fighter that he was going into the first fight, then he will do it.”
PREDICTION: “Tyson will win by stoppage.”
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN (Seven-time world snooker champion and boxing fan)
“I’m a Fury fan but I have huge respect for Usyk’s skill level, professionalism and achievements.
“Fury’s had the better training camp and that makes the difference.”
PREDICTION: “It will go at least ten rounds and if there’s a knockout, it will be Fury’s. If it goes to points, it’s Fury, too.”