CHAMPIONS CORNER: USYK VS. FURY 2
a beast in return bouts vs. Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora – can’t turn the tables? The Ring sought out the opinions of one current titleholder and three generations of former heavyweight champions, including five Hall of Famers, to gather their thoughts and predictions ahead of Usyk-Fury II.
think [Fury is] training as hard as Usyk, and that does make a difference. But you never know, he might come back with some new stuff – which I don’t think – and upset Usyk. “I think that Usyk is going to come with fire. He’s going to come in good shape. His momentum is still high and he’s representing his country, which is behind him 100 percent. I would say Usyk is a mover and Tyson Fury doesn’t know how to fight a mover. Why try to hit him in the head? That’s what he wants you to do, because you’re not going to hit there. So what you do is go for his body, jab him to his body. Hit what’s close to you. You’ve got to be in shape to really fight a mover. If somebody doesn’t teach Fury how to fight a mover, I think you might see the same result. Usyk on points by a small margin.” Result: Usyk wins on points
MICHAEL SPINKS RING (1985-88) IBF (1985-87) “Although Usyk outpunched and beat Fury last time, although he was a small heavyweight, like myself, I feel Fury will get him back in December. At this point, Fury needs the win to keep his status in boxing. I think the fight will go the distance and Fury will get the three belts that are on the line.” Result: Fury wins on points
LARRY HOLMES WBC (1978-83) RING (1980-85) IBF (1983-85) “[The first fight] was a good fight, but Fury lost. I don’t root for fighters; I root for the winner. If they go out there and do good but get knocked out … great. Fighters are gonna win and fighters are gonna lose. “If [Fury] comes back and wins, then that’s great, but he only wins a rematch if it’s in his hometown. He’s going to have the same problems.” Prediction: Usyk wins by unanimous decision
LENNOX LEWIS WBC (1992-94, 1997-2001, 2001-04) WBA (1999-2000) IBF (1999-2001, 2001-02) RING (2002-04) “I could see Usyk’s determination and valor [in the first fight]. He said what he was going to do. He was right on top of Tyson Fury from the beginning. For a fight like that, you’ve got to be really focused, and I think Tyson Fury wasn’t as focused as he should’ve been. Tyson Fury learned that when a guy’s determined and coming after you, you better have other tricks up your sleeve. You can’t scare him. You can’t intimidate him. He’s there on a mission, and that mission is to beat Tyson Fury. He has to be now on a mission to beat Oleksandr Usyk. “For Usyk, he knew what he
PINKLON THOMAS WBC (1984-86) “In the first fight, I predicted Fury would pull it off, because I figured he would outbox this guy and keep him at range. But Usyk is a very, very strong and determined guy. “I think what you’re going to see is the same thing. Tyson Fury has to do some serious boxing to keep this guy off him. It’s gonna be a helluva fight. I know Tyson isn’t going to lay down; he hasn’t laid down for nobody. He’ll get up; we’ve seen that. It’s going to be a war. There could be a possible third fight. I’ve met Fury – he’s a good guy. He’s very strong and determined. I’m going to give it to Tyson this time.” Result: Fury wins on points
TIM WITHERSPOON WBC (1984) WBA (1986) “Usyk just came off a couple of good wins; his momentum is up. I know he’s training. And they showed Tyson Fury having fun with his family. I don’t
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