Tony Bellew has a good idea of what it is like to face Oleksandr Usyk in the boxing ring. Bellew faced Usyk in the final fight of his entertaining career challenging for the undisputed cruiserweight title in 2018. Ultimately Tony was knocked out in the eighth round but the pair have a deep respect for each other with Tony singing his praises since.
Tony recently gave his thoughts on the much talked about a proposed undisputed bout between WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and Unified (WBA, IBF & WBO) world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk. Tony thinks that Fury is a lot more predictable than he was due to his switch to trainer Sugarhill Steward but also praises Fury for becoming a hard-hitting puncher and a more complete fighter which he has become under Steward’s watch
Bellew, Speaking to TalkSport Radio.
“I’ve always thought Fury would be too big (in comparison to Usyk). I’m not so sure now. Don’t get me wrong, the stylistic change and turnaround that he’s had since taking on SugarHill has been monumental … He is not feather-fisted. He is strong, he is heavy, he presses with authority."
"One thing I will say, he’s a bit easier to hit. But ultimately he’s a far better fighter – a more-equipped fighter – right now than he’s ever been in his life.”
Tony went on to say that he feels that Usyk could well be the fighter to exploit Fury’s style which he has developed and is easier to work out according to Bellew.
“There has been little drawbacks. He is easier to hit. He is easier to work out also. You know what’s coming when he’s in the ring with you. If he thinks Oleksandr Usyk is gonna be there to be hit, he’s got another thing coming, believe you me."
"That boy’s judgement of distance is the best I’ve ever seen. Ever in my whole entire life … The boy is one chromosome short of the matrix. I have no idea how he does what he’s doing. He was making me miss by less than inches.”
Tony also suggested that Usyk might be catching Fury at the right time of his career feeling the WBC champion is on the slide and did not look at his best in his last fight against Derek Chisora.
“The longer this goes on, the more it benefits Oleksandr Usyk. Cause Fury isn’t the perfect athlete. Fury is someone who actually needs to be busy, and the last fight – the shut out against Derek Chisora – won’t have done him any good. If anything, I seen more flaws from the Derek Chisora fight than I seen pluses."
"That might be because he’s gone in there knowing what he can do to this man. Against Deontay Wilder the last time I thought he was phenomenal, but against Derek Chisora, I just didn’t see the same fighter, and I think he may be the one now on the slide.”
