Tyson Fury vs Oleksander Usyk: More disturbing predictions roll in ahead of bout

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High-profile predictions continue to roll in ahead of Tyson Fury’s bout with Oleksander Usyk, and some of them are disturbing to Fury’s fans.

Both fighters will faceoff on February 17 at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fury’s WBC heavyweight title will be on the line, likewise Usyk’s WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles.

‘Usyk is quick, fast, low centre of gravity which is difficult for a tall guy,’ said Barry McGuigan. ‘Of course, his performances are starting to level off, he’s on the decline, he’s not body beautiful, he never has been.

‘He’s got quick hands but his chin, I’m worried about his chin. Usyk is exceptional, he could win, that wouldn’t at all surprise me.’

Fury’s father complained about his son’s seeming bad form in the past following Tyson Fury’s bout with boxing debutant Francis Ngannou.

‘The 17th February is the date they have got to work towards. But in my opinion, Tyson needs a bit more time to get his conditioning right and his weight right,’ John Fury said. ‘For me it looked like he had lost 20lbs of muscle last time. Something was wrong.’

‘He would have been better boxing off the back foot, slipping and sliding. Against the old Tyson, Ngannou wouldn’t have landed a glove on him. The style I am seeing is no good, it won’t be any use boxing Usyk like that, just stood in front of him. You have to be clever and agile, as much as he [Usyk] is. But unless you are trained to do that, what can you say?’

In reply to John Fury’s suggestion, McGuigan said, ‘Why would his father say that? He can’t change styles. Tyson is tall, rangy, fast hands, good fighter.

‘Chin is suspect as we saw with Francis Ngannou. Because of the performance against Ngannou, this fight [with Usyk] is a much harder fight.’

Once during an interview, Oleksander Usyk had replied that he had plans to execute against Fury in the ring but would keep them secret till then.