Ricky Hatton has voiced a “concern” for Tyson Fury ahead of his long-awaited showdown with Oleksandr Usyk.
The Hitman will be rooting for the Gypsy King in the first undisputed heavyweight championship fight since Lennox Lewis triumphed over Evander Holyfield back in 1999. Hatton expects his pal to get the job done in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.
However, he reckons Usyk’s stature and boxing prowess will give Fury a very different set of problems compared to a giant like Deontay Wilder. Hatton told Lord Ping: “I think it will be a very interesting fight because Tyson has never fought anyone as small as Usyk before.
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Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns in a huge clash this month with each fighter attempting to etch their names in boxing history as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the pair will go head to head for the prestigious WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.
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“That could be a bit of a concern because it will be a new experience for him. When he fought Wilder, he was able to stand there and have it out with him. It was the same with Dillian Whyte.
“He’s used to fighting these massive units and now he’s got a little whippersnapper in front of him who will be flying all over the place. The fact that he’s smaller makes it more dangerous for Tyson, because Tyson has been able to bully the previous heavyweights he’s fought over the last few years.”
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Fury is looking in tremendous shape ahead of the fight and Hatton reckons he has slimmed down to allow for extra speed and movement (via the MEN). He added: “I think that’s why Tyson has slimmed down a little bit. He knows he’s going to need a little bit of speed in this fight.
“Tyson ticks all the boxes. He can box south paw, he can box orthodox. He’s got speed, he’s got great defence. I think he’ll find a way. Tyson can do everything – he’s a right box of tricks – but if anyone can hurt him, it’s Oleksandr Usyk.”
Whatever the outcome, Hatton is expecting big things from th fight. The Hitman said: “I think it will live up to the hype. I think it’ll be great.”