‘FURY CAN BEAT USYK THREE TIMES IN ONE NIGHT’ – FURY BACKED TO KNOCK OUT USYK

Tyson Fury will knock out Oleksandr Usyk in their December 21 rematch.

That is according to Billy Joe Saunders. Fury suffered the first loss of his career as Usyk won a split decision. The result appeared close, but in truth, Usyk dominated most of the fight. He controlled the earlier and latter parts of the fight, while Fury’s success came in the middle rounds. The Ukrainian almost knocked out Fury in the round, but the referee controversially imposed a standing eight count instead.

Usyk defied the pre-fight narrative that Fury would overpower him. He walked down the Gypsy King, despite the latter being 40 pounds heavier and having a seven-inch reach advantage. Fury is expected to come more on the front foot, as he did against Deontay Wilder in the second/third fights, where he stopped the Bronze Bomber. That was a departure from the first fight, where Fury was boxing on the back foot. Saunders felt that if Fury pressed the action, he would come out victorious.

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“I don’t think there’s anyone out there than can outbox Usyk. Tyson Fury, he can beat Usyk three times in one night with one simple game plan. It’s very, very simple how to beat him. You have to use your size. You have to use your physical advantages. Every attribute you have you need to use to full effect with this man,” Saunders said

Saunders also made comments that suggested that things were not all going well in camp. Reports indicated that Jai Opetaiahad dropped Fury in camp. The IBF Cruiserweight Champion was brought into camp to mimic Usyk’s southpaw style. Since he is a cruiserweight, he would have been much like Usyk. But Opetaia left camp early after claims he dropped Fury.

Johnny Nelsonbacked up comments that Fury had been dropped. However, coming into the fight, Fury was praised for his physique. He also trained from after the Francis Ngannou fight last year since the Usyk fight was rearranged twice. Although Fury suffered a cut, which saw the Usyk fight being rescheduled, there were no excuses from Team Fury. But Saunders suggested that there were issues in camp.

“I’m not making any excuses for him, but I know what went on in camp and what didn’t go on in camp. I know that, even when it came to sparring and other bits and bobs, there was stuff missing out of it that needs to be rectified this time. He’s asked me to go away [for] training camp with him, so I’m delighted to say I will be going away with him. I believe Tyson will win the next fight. And I believe that he will win by knockout as well,” Saunders stated

Nevertheless, if Fury comes on the front foot, it does play into Usyk’s hands. He is known for being a counter puncher, something which allowed him to sit in the pocket in the two Anthony Joshua fights. Should Fury press the action, Usyk has more of a target to hit, leaving Fury with a tough task.