TYSON FURY is an ‘unpredictable boxer’ with the right mentality and boxing skills required to beat Anthony Joshua, according to Oleksandr Usyk.
Joshua’s WBO mandatory challenger Usyk revealed he believes the Gypsy King is capable of toppling AJ – who delivered a stunning knockout against Kubrat Pulev last weekend to put the pair on a collision course in 2021.
‘Unpredictable’ Tyson Fury has the skills and mentality to beat Anthony Joshua, according to Oleksandr UsykCredit: PA:Press Association
Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev to clear the path for a 2021 all-British showdownCredit: Reuters
AJ’s WBO mandatory Oleksandr Usyk claimed Fury has what it takes to topple JoshuaCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
And the Ukrainian, 33, may clear the way for a £500million two-fight deal to be agreed between the Brits after hinting he could choose to step aside.
Usyk told SunSport: “I should say that Tyson Fury is an unpredictable boxer.
“He has the right mentality and the boxing skills required [to beat Joshua].
“But it is boxing so I can’t predict what would happen and how such a fight would end.
“But we will have to wait and see and I would be sure to watch.”
Fury has the right mentality and the boxing skills required [to beat Joshua].”
Oleksandr Usyk
The man who unified the cruiserweight division suggested a ‘once in a lifetime’ unification of the heavyweight belts could see WBC champ Fury jump the queue to fight Joshua ahead of him.
When asked if he would consider moving aside, Usyk said: “All four belts might end up in the same hands of one person.
“It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. We should all talk and communicate for that to happen because it is a really big event.”
In his first fight in 12 months, AJ took out veteran Bulgarian Pulev in the ninth round in front of a reduced crowd of 1,000 at Wembley Arena.
The victory was the Watford fighter’s first outing since reclaiming his WBA, WBO and IBF belts by outpointing Andy Ruiz Jr in Saudi Arabia in December 2019.
Pulev took on Joshua as the IBF mandatory and was floored TWICE in the third round by some huge bombs.
The 39-year-old somehow survived a standing count and made it to the bell despite seeming to turn his back on AJ – something that could have seen the fight stopped immediately by the referee.
Many were surprised when Pulev battled his way back into the contest only to be KO’d in the ninth round.
I think that if Anthony didn’t end the fight in round three – either he couldn’t or he just didn’t want to.”
Oleksandr Usyk
But Usyk suggested AJ may not have wanted to get his opponent out of the ring early after a year out.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport, the unbeaten Ukrainian said: “I personally thought the fight would end somewhere around round six or seven but they held out nine rounds.
“I think that if Anthony didn’t end the fight in round three – either he couldn’t or he just didn’t want to.”
Oleksandr Usyk was speaking after launching the WePlay Ultimate Fighting League in partnership with WePlay Esports.
Tyson Fury demands Anthony Joshua ‘grow a pair and sign contract big boy for biggest fight since Rumble in the Jungle’
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
