The biggest heavyweight rematch of the decade is now just a matter of days away, with Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk preparing to do battle for a second time on December 21.
The global combat sports community is divided over who they think will leave the Kingdom Arena as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world – and that includes Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn.
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
Eddie Hearn predicts Tyson Fury will beat Oleksandr Usyk – but only narrowly
Less than 72 hours away from Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2, numerous boxing experts past and present are still unsure who they think will win – although there is an argument that the biggest winner will be the fans themselves.
“My first thoughts [as a fan] is that I don't know how to fight Oleksandr Usyk,” Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn told TNT Sports Boxing earlier today.
“He is an incredible downloader of data, but right off the bat; doesn't 'go away for a few months, watch the tape to understand', he does it on the spot – and that's why he's so good… The ability to just change, change tactics, [and] if he has more time, it will be even more dangerous.
Tyson Fury remains a slim underdog to the unbeaten Ukrainian, with Hearn revealing he has changed his prediction several times during fight week.
“I keep saying this, my heart says Tyson Fury, [but] my head says Oleksandr Usyk… Usyk seems to have a strange appearance for once and to speak of confidence and borderline – not arrogance – but I have never heard him talk about how good he is.
“Fury looks calm, he looks fit, and I'm changing my mind – I'm going for Tyson Fury. This battle is about extraordinary things, [and] Every now and then Fury is capable of the most remarkable things. He has the ability to win this battle overnight.”
Fury's training camp is being called into question, with his wife confirming the story that she has not spoken to 'The Gypsy King' for the past three months as he prepares for the season's rematch in Riyadh.
“What did that last battle cost them, and who else did it cost?” Hearn wondered, before dismissing the idea that changes in training camp will affect Saturday night's outcome.
“This fight has nothing to do with a training camp, in terms of what they looked like or who did what, this is just on the night… And I'm going to switch it up and go for Tyson Fury.
“I just have a strange feeling that he's going to do it, it's going to be close, it could be controversial, but unless someone is stopped – which I don't see [happening] – I think it's a 7-5 fight. And when that happens, anything can happen.”
Fury's path to victory could have been made viable by Artur Beterbiev
Oleksandr Usyk may be undefeated as a professional, but the Ukrainian suffered fifteen defeats as an amateur – including against Shawn 'Showtime' Porter and against reigning light heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev.
Usyk and Beterbiev locked horns three times, with 'The Cat' winning that rivalry 2-1; however, it was their match in 2011 at the World Amateur Championships that we would like to point out.
During the third round of that particular fight, Beterbiev was able to corner and land a beautiful right body shot, dropping Usyk heavily.
As revealed in several fan compilations about Usyk's career, this wasn't the first time 'The Cat' was injured or fell due to a body shot – a possible path to victory for Tyson Fury?
Find out on December 21.
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