Oleksandr Usyk has a chance to win in two weight classes if his bout with Tyson Fury goes through – and there’s a heavyweight legend who believes he can do it in style.
It will be Ukraine v England in the division’s first all-belt clash since Lennox Lewis v Evander Holyfield, and contract negotiations are said to be coming to an end.
If both fighters sign the dotted line, Fury is likely to be the favorite. Both are undefeated and elite, however the general consensus is that the man from Morecambe may be too big for Usyk.
Hasim Rahman – known for his shock win over Lennox Lewis and two championships – other news.
In a clip replayed around the time Fury won over Dillian Whyte and announced his retirement, ‘The Rock’ Rahman was asked by exaggerated fighting if he believes that hanging up the gloves was the right decision for the British.
“I think if he wants to keep his legacy intact, he should. Because I think Usyk can beat him. I think Tyson Fury’s biggest advantage is that most heavyweights are really slow and he’s used to fighting them.
If you go up against a boxer – like Steve Cunningham – bad things can happen. I think Usyk is number one and is in the weight class. I think he can beat Tyson Fury.”
Rahman went into more detail about the size difference, believing that the final majority may be Fury’s demise, not Usyk’s.
“[The size] will [an advantage] with most of the heavyweights standing in front of you and Tyson could lean on and grab. But Usyk is not that type of person. He’ll make him do small boxing moves – he’ll make him do it for all twelve rounds.
And I think Tyson walking nearly 300 pounds will run out of breath… Turn the tables on Tyson and get him to work. Make him exhausted and then be able to knock him down.
That’s a prediction added to Usyk’s tally, at least from the pros and boxers, overshadowed by Fury.
However, for any of them to be put to the test, the fight had to be perfected and announced. Both men’s promoters met in London this week to try to do just that.
