Commentator Tony Bellew picks IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to defeat WBC heavyweight Tyson Fury by decision on May 18.
Usyk’s Kryptonite? Not Fury’s Style
Bellew feels that Fury’s focus on pressuring his opponents, looking for knockouts instead of boxing, will play into Usyk’s hands because he does well in those fights. Whether Fury has to score crowd-pleasing knockouts will play into Usyk’s hands, who will teach him.
Tony thinks Fury will cause problems for Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) early in the fight due to his 6’8″ height and weight, but Oleksandr will adapt and take the fight. He will then sail to victory.
Fury’s Best Days Are Behind Him
Bellew points out that Fury was a better fighter when he was trained by his uncle, Peter Fury, but changed his style after meeting trainer Sugarhill Steward, from Kronk’s gym in Detroit. Fury is now looking for knockouts, trying to reverse his way to victory, and doing a lot of leaning.
Fury’s new style is designed for limited fighters:
- Deontay Wilder: Power but no technical skills
- Dillian Whyte: Easy home level fighter, easy to beat with a weak chin.
- Dereck Chisora: A 40-year-old arm punching bag that Fury indulged in for easy pay.
That style is for limited fighters with marginal talent, like Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, and Dereck Chisora, but not against a top-level guy like Usyk.
Why Bellew Thinks Rage Is In Over His Head
“The work he did against Gassiev in Russia was very good. He didn’t shoot, and that’s what he knows how to do when he gets in the ring,” said Tony Bellew on talkSport Boxing, talking about Oleksandr Usyk.
“He adjusts and adapts to each style he is faced with. Tyson Fury may cause problems early on because of his size and because of his weight, but in the end, he [Usyk] he will adapt and adjust and take the fight, and he will win by unanimous points.
“I think Tyson Fury was the one who had the best chance to beat him when he was with his uncle Peter Fury because at that time he was an unusual, big, strange fighter who used his size and qualities to his advantage.
“Now, he likes to pressure fighters and look for knockouts with them [trainer] Sugarhill Steward in Kronk [gym]. He is a different hero. He’s a knockout prospect. That’s music to Oleksandr Usyk’s ears. I have been in there with him. The guy is different in what he does.
“I think Oleksandr Usyk will win on points. If Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury were equal, this fight wouldn’t be up for debate. He [Fury] I wouldn’t win the round. This fight is very close because Tyson Fury is 6’8, 6’9″, and he’s going to go against a guy my size, 6’3″, about 225,” said Bellew.
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