LAWRENCE OKOLIE has backed new training partner Tyson Fury to beat Oleksandr Usyk – but he will need “a nice small ring” to do so.
Fury is lined up to unify all four world titles for the first time in heavyweight history against Usyk on April 29 at Wembley.
And he has now been joined by coach Sugarhill Steward, who has flown over to the UK for Okolie’s next fight.
Cruiserweight world champion Okolie – who defends his WBO belt against David Light – has been welcomed into Fury’s Morecombe gym.
And he offered a word of advice to the Gypsy King by urging him to minimise Usyk’s ability to box and move when they share the ring.
Okolie told talkSPORT: “I think Tyson Fury will win by points or late stoppage just because of the physicality, especially if they make it a small ring.
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“In a big ring I think Usyk will be able to dance and pop left hands to the body.
“A nice small ring, Tyson gets hold of him, lays on him a bit, push and pulls him around.
“As well as it will be very difficult for Usyk to get past the length of Tyson. I think Tyson Fury wins that one.”
Fury has started training camp in Lancaster despite the historic undisputed title fight not yet being announced.
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It comes after Usyk accepted his “greedy” offer of 70/30 in a bid to get the bout over the line.
But the Ukrainian hinted at negotiations hitting a snag in a worrying tweet to fans.
Although Fury’s promoter Frank Warren seemed to suggest otherwise as he celebrated Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace.
Warren tweeted: “Arsenal 8 points clear! Even bigger news to come!”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
