TYSON FURY has been warned that Oleksandr Usyk could end his dream of undisputed glory if he underestimates him.
The Wythenshawe warrior will bid to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the quarter of a century when he locks horns with the slick southpaw next month.
Usyk’s chances of unifying the division have been written off by many on account of the size difference between himself and Brit man-mountain Fury.
But surging contender Zhilei Zhang reckons the undefeated Ukrainian could cause a monumental upset in the Riyadh rumble if Fury underestimates him as he did former UFC champ Francis Ngannou.
He told Boxing Scene: “I don’t know [who will win Fury-Usyk].
“Anything can happen and my experience in the business tells me that until you hear the opening bell, anything is possible.
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“If someone feels like they are not themselves then they could call the fight off. I’m unsure if it happens.
“The Francis Ngannou fight should be a wake up call for Tyson Fury.
“You have to train hard and focus on the gym, but you never know, everyone is different.
“But I can tell you if he prepares the same way he did against Francis Ngannou then he is going to be in big trouble and big danger.”
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Zhang reckons former cruiserweight king Usyk’s unique skillset could offset his significant height and reach disadvantages.
The Chinese clubber said: “Right now, I am leaning towards Usyk to winning this fight as I believe skills pay the bills and dedication is the key to the sport of boxing.”
WBC heavyweight king Fury knows Usyk will present him with one of the toughest tasks of his career but is confident of sealing undisputed glory with a stoppage victory.
He said: “It’s going to one of the fights for the ages.
“I believe we are both destined to be here and to be in this big fight in Saudi Arabia, and there’s only one winner, and I am destined to become the undisputed champion.
“More than that, I am destined to cement my legacy as the No. 1 fighter in this era.
“To do that I have to beat this little man and that’s it, simple as.
“Easier said than done I understand, he’s a tricky man, good boxer, slick.
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“But I have seen many people like him before and when they fight the big men they struggle.
“He’s going to struggle on February 17 and he’s going to lose, I will break him for sure.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
