Tyson Fury rival reveals fears for Gypsy King ahead of Oleksandr Usyk clash and why he thinks Ukrainian will sneak win

11 months ago 72

TYSON FURY has been warned that Oleksandr Usyk could end his dream of undisputed glory if he underestimates him.

The Wythenshawe warrior will bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the quarter of a century when he locks horns with the slick southpaw next month.

epa10979259 British boxer Tyson Fury (L) and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk (R) face each other during a press conference ahead of ‘Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk’ boxing match, in London, Britain, 16 November 2023. The undisputed heavyweight championship title fight between the British boxer Tyson Fury and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 17 February 2024. EPA/TOLGA AKMENTyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will collide in an undisputed heavyweight title fight next monthEPA
 Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after being awarded victory after defeating Daniel Dubois during the Heavyweight fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois at Stadion Wroclaw on August 26, 2023 in Wroclaw, Poland. (Photo by Gabriel Kuchta/Getty Images)Usyk’s chances of beating Fury have been written off due to his sizeGETTY
 Zhilei Zhang celebrates victory against Joe Joyce during the WBO Interim World Heavyweight Title fight between Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce at OVO Arena Wembley on September 23, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)Heavyweight contender Zhilei Zhang reckons Usyk could do a number on FuryGETTY

Usyk’s chances of unifying the division have been written off by many on account of the size difference between himself and Brit man-mountain Fury.

But surging contender Zhilei Zhang reckons the undefeated Ukrainian could cause a monumental upset in the Riyadh rumble if Fury underestimates him as he did former UFC champ Francis Ngannou.

He told Boxing Scene: “I don’t know [who will win Fury-Usyk].

“Anything can happen and my experience in the business tells me that until you hear the opening bell, anything is possible.

“If someone feels like they are not themselves then they could call the fight off. I’m unsure if it happens.

“The Francis Ngannou fight should be a wake up call for Tyson Fury.

“You have to train hard and focus on the gym, but you never know, everyone is different.

“But I can tell you if he prepares the same way he did against Francis Ngannou then he is going to be in big trouble and big danger.”

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TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK: ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED AHEAD OF HUGE UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT

Zhang reckons the former cruiserweight king Usyk’s unique skillset could offset his significant height and reach disadvantages.

The Chinese clubber said: “Right now, I am leaning towards Usyk to winning this fight as I believe skills pay the bills and dedication is the key to the sport of boxing.”

WBC heavyweight king Fury knows Usyk will present him with one of the toughest tasks of his career but is confident of sealing undisputed glory with a stoppage victory.

He said: “It’s going to one of the fights for the ages.

“I believe we are both destined to be here and to be in this big fight in Saudi Arabia, and there’s only one winner, and I am destined to become the undisputed champion.

“More than that, I am destined to cement my legacy as the No. 1 fighter in this era.

“To do that I have to beat this little man and that’s it, simple as.

“Easier said than done I understand, he’s a tricky man, good boxer, slick.

“But I have seen many people like him before and when they fight the big men they struggle.

“He’s going to struggle on February 17 and he’s going to lose, I will break him for sure.”

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Tyson Fury is confident he’ll stop Oleksandr Usyk[/caption]
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