Analyst Tony Bellew is picking IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to defeat WBC champ Tyson Fury by a decision on May 18th.
Usyk’s Kryptonite? Not Fury’s Style
Bellew feels that Fury’s focus on pressing his opponents, looking for knockouts rather than boxing, will play into Usyk’s hands because he does well against those types of fighters. That obsession that Fury has to score crowd-pleasing knockouts will play into Usyk’s hands, who will school him.
Tony thinks Fury will pose problems for Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) early on in the fight due to his 6’8″ height and weight, but Oleksandr will adapt and take over the match. He’ll then cruise 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 he’s changed his style after teaming up with trainer Sugarhill Steward, who is from the Kronk gym in Detroit. Fury now looks for knockouts, trying to slug his way to victories, and he does a lot of grappling & leaning.
Fury’s new style is tailor-made for limited fighters:
- Deontay Wilder: Power but no technical skills
- Dillian Whyte: A simple domestic level fighter, easy to hit with a weak chin.
- Dereck Chisora: 40-year-old walking punching bag with arms, who Fury feasted on for an easy money payday.
That style is made for limited fighters with marginal talent, like Deontay Wilder, Dillian Whyte, and Dereck Chisora, but not against an elite-level guy like Usyk.
Why Bellew Thinks Fury’s In Over His Head
“The job he did against Gassiev in Russia was absolutely phenomenal. He did not take a shot, and that is what he’s capable of doing when he gets in the ring,” said Tony Bellew to talkSport Boxing, talking about Oleksandr Usyk.
“He adjusts and he adapts with each style that he faces. Tyson Fury may pose some problems early on because of his size and because of his weight, but ultimately, he [Usyk] will adapt and adjust and take over the fight, and he will win on points unanimously.
“I think Tyson Fury stood the best chance of beating him when he was with his uncle Peter Fury because that was when he was an unorthodox, big, awkward fighter who used his size and his attributes to his advantage to his advantage.
“Now, he likes to press fighters and look for knockouts with [trainer] Sugarhill Steward at the Kronk [gym]. He’s a different fighter. He’s someone that looks for a knockout. That’s music to Oleksandr Usyk’s ears. I’ve been in there with him. The boy is exceptional at what he does.
“I think Oleksandr Usyk is going to win on points. If Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury were the same size, this fight wouldn’t even be up for debate. He [Fury] wouldn’t win a round. This fight is so close is becaue Tyson Fury is 6’8, 6’9″, and he’s going in with guy that is the same dimensions as me, 6’3″ and about 225,” said Bellew.
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