• 26/07/2024 20:19

“Has a high boxing IQ”: the ex-world champion predicted the winner of the Usyk-Fury fight

ByИван Дунаев

Apr 11, 2024

Duke McKenzie is convinced that the Ukrainian can defeat “Tsygansky” king.”

Former world champion in three weight categories Duke McKenzie shared his expectations for the fight between the world champion according to WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF in the heavyweight division by Alexander Usik and WBC title holder Tyson Fury.

In his opinion, the Ukrainian boxer has many advantages, including a high boxing IQ, which he can use and defeat the “Gypsy King.”

“Usyk will win, I don’t want to give someone a cold shoulder shower, but I see Usik winning because he is a much more versatile fighter.

I don’t think Fury has fought anyone like him, and Usyk will be so determined for this fight. A fit Oleksandr Usyk could probably go toe-to-toe with any heavyweight who ever lived… Usyk has a high boxing IQ. He's very smart, very thoughtful, he hits well, he has good timing, he can cancel out the size of big guys.

That's what I think he'll do against Fury: he can cancel out his size and making up for the size difference by getting close, staying close, working Tyson out, maybe wearing him down – that's how I see this fight,” McKenzie told talkSPORT.

The Usyk-Fury fight will take place on May 18 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The fight was scheduled for February 17, but due to an injury the Briton received during one of the sparrings, it had to be postponed.

To avoid another breakdown of the fight, the organizers established sanctions, which will be applied to Usik or Fury if one of them does not enter the ring on May 18. Boxersface a huge fineif they refuse to fight on the scheduled date.

The winner of the Usyk-Fury fight will become the first undisputed world champion in the heavyweight division in the 21st century.

The last “absolute” in the heavyweight division was Lennox Lewis, who achieved this status in 1999 when he defeated Evander Holyfield. Back then, the WBA, WBC and IBF titles were at stake. The WBO belt was recognized as equal in 2007, so the winner of the fight between Usik and Fury will become the first “absolute” heavyweight champion in history with four major titles.

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