BOXING stars and legends have shared their predictions ahead of the blockbuster rematch between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury, 36, and Usyk, 37, lock horns on Saturday, December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia.
The Gypsy King is looking for revenge after the Ukrainian handed him his first ever defeat after 36 fights – 34 of which he won – in May when they faced off in the same venue.
Then Ukrainian megastar will be looking to extend his own undefeated streak to 23 wins after beating Fury via split decision in Riyadh.
Boxing’s biggest personalities are also split ahead of the big fight and one of them even changed his mind, which shows just how close this match may be.
SunSport bring you all the predictions from the sport’s most famous names:
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Eddie Hearn – Tyson Fury
Eddie Hearn changed his mind and now backs Tyson Fury just two weeks after predicting Oleksandr Usyk as the victor.
Hearn told iFL TV: “If Fury wins – and I’m actually leaning towards him, I’ve had a little bit of a [switch].
“Fury could fight AJ [Anthony Joshua] for the unified world heavyweight title. The biggest fight ever in the sport. Wembley, Riyadh, wherever.”
Hearn recently claimed he has “no idea” how to beat Usyk amid his stunning winning run.
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The promoter previously said: “I have no idea how to beat [Usyk], but Tyson Fury is a very smart fighter. He has smart people in the corner, but also, from an IQ level in boxing, he’s right up there.
“Unfortunately, so is Oleksandr Usyk. So, my money, especially when he’s won the first fight, will always be on Oleksandr Usyk.
“My heart wants to see a Tyson Fury win. Not just because he’s British but also because I want to set up the AJ fight. I’d love to see him do it, but I do see him as the underdog in this fight.”
Lennox Lewis – Oleksandr Usyk
Lennox Lewis’ money is with Oleksandr Usyk and warned Tyson Fury he will have to box “smart”.
Lewis said: “It’s going to be a tough fight for both guys. It’s going to be mentally tough, it’s going to be physically tough.
“They’re going to push each other on the mental basis far, they’re going to push each other physically far. Both guys want to win this fight.
“Both guys want something from this and it’s going to be a mental challenge and a physical challenge.
“I think it’s going to be a banger, it’s going to be a serious fight, one guy was more serious than the other guy [in the first fight] — you could say Tyson Fury lost that fight and Usyk won it.
“Now it’s a situation where they’re having another fight, Tyson Fury has to win that fight so he’s going to be more focused, he’s going to put a little bit more weight on to get through this fight and he’s a lot more serious.
“Well, I cannot go against Usyk. Oleksandr Usyk has proven himself time and time again, and he’s still undefeated.
“It really comes down to who boxes the best. Who’s smart in the ring. I didn’t think Tyson Fury was smart in the first fight.
“I think he played around a little bit too much and allowed Oleksandr Usyk to really pile up the points.
“Oleksandr Usyk is a difficult opponent. He moves all the time, he’s always throwing punches, he’s in great shape, and that’s hard to beat.”
Mike Tyson – Tyson Fury
Mike Tyson has a very unique reason why he’s backing Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia…
Tyson said: “Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world at the moment. But I’m going for Fury to beat him.
“Why? Because I’m a fan. Because his father gave him my name. I’m not abandoning him now.”
Anthony Joshua – Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Joshua is confident Oleksandr Usyk will get his hand raised, but not by much.
Joshua said: “I think it’s going to be a tough fight early on and then I feel like Usyk will edge it again.
“He’s a class operator and I feel like Usyk’s one of the best out there. That’s why I think he’ll win.”
Amir Khan – Tyson Fury
Amir Khan is confident Tyson Fury will be “one step ahead” after learning from the mistakes he committed in the first fight and predicts the Gypsy King may stop Oleksandr Usyk in the later rounds.
Khan said: “Good fight. I think this time Fury knows what mistakes he made in the first fight.
“He knows that he can’t stand in front of a strong Usyk, Usyk still has a lot of power, and he’s felt Usyk’s power this time, knowing that Usyk has come up a weight and still holds that power.
“So, I think Fury is going to be one step ahead. Whenever Fury comes back in a rematch, he is always much better so he could probably stop Usyk toward the later rounds.”
Joseph Parker – Tyson Fury
Joseph Parker believes Tyson Fury can end Oleksandr Usyk’s undefeated run with a points decision.
Parker said: “I think Tyson’s mindset has changed coming into this fight.
“I feel that if you have a different mindset, that can bring a lot of changes. I believe Tyson can beat Usyk on a points decision, but it’s a tough one. I’m siding with Tyson, but I think it’s a points decision.”
Tony Bellew – Oleksandr Usyk
Tony Bellew is adamant Oleksandr Usyk will win again, but this time it will be a unanimous decision.
Bellew said: “I can’t look past Usyk. He outboxes him this time and probably ends up winning on points.
“The first fight surprised me a little bit as Usyk went on the front foot from the first bell and he was actually fighting like he was the bigger man. I think that might’ve shocked Fury a little bit.
“Now Usyk knows he can hurt Fury and also be fine up close, he’ll be more confident here, but I still think he’ll go on the outside and box him on the backfoot.
“Fury has no choice but to be more aggressive this time around, but those tactics can play into Usyk’s hands, and I think he’ll go 2-0 against Fury and do it unanimously this time.”
Anthony Crolla – Oleksandr Usyk
Anthony Crolla claims Tyson Fury was “very fortunate” in the first fight and insists Oleksandr Usyk is the favourite.
Crolla said: “Tyson has got to be a lot more respectful of the power Usyk looks to be developing as a heavyweight. You have to make Oleksandr Usyk the favourite for the moments that happened in the first fight.
“I’m glad the referee kept the fight going after round nine, but Tyson was very fortunate not to have been stopped because a lot of people would’ve been stopped.
George Groves – Oleksandr Usyk
George Groves backs Oleksandr Usyk because he is “still the fresher fighter”.
Groves said: “Based on the first fight, the wear and tear and mileage on both fighters, and where they are in their careers, Usyk is still the fresher fighter.
“Usyk nearly stopped him in the first fight. He’s not the type to think, ‘I almost had him last time; one big shot will finish it.’
“He knows it’s going to be a tough fight, as it always is for him. Usyk leaves no stone unturned, and I think it’s a clearer win for Usyk this time.”
Derek Chisora – Oleksandr Usyk
Derek Chisora believes Oleksandr Usyk will win, but we will see a different Tyson Fury.
Chisora said: “[Usyk] Is still the same, bro. It’s gonna be a good fight, we’re gonna see a little bit of difference, but you have to understand: Tyson will come a little bit different, but Usyk will come a little bit different [as well].
“But as the scales hit right now, my money’s still edging on Usyk.”
Carl Frampton – Tyson Fury
Carl Frampton is adamant Tyson Fury will win because he is “in the zone now”.
Frampton said: “I fancy Fury. My mind hasn’t really swayed from start to finish, which is strange in a fight of this magnitude; I’ve been saying Fury from the start.
“I think Fury is in the zone now, he’s serious, he’s ready to fight. Both guys seem to be very, very confident. Both, I think, know it’s going to be a difficult fight.”
Daniel Dubois – Tyson Fury
Daniel Dubois believes in Tyson Fury, and revealed he will call out the winner.
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Dubois said: “I’m still backing Fury. I hope our man does it. Usyk is capable. Fury should jump on him and smother him.
“Fury is a slick boxer too, but it will be a great fight and I’ll be out there calling on to fight the winner.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
