Today is the day of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in which it will be decided whether the Ukrainian remains the king of the heavyweights or whether the Englishman regains the lost throne. The boxing world has spoken out about what might happen between these two great champions, although there is a somewhat special prediction, that of Wladimir Klitschko, who could return to pugilism in case of victory of ‘Gypsy King’ to attack the record of oldest heavyweight champion. The former monarch has spoken about the fight on Sky and prefers to stay in retirement, which would mean that his compatriot has triumphed again.
Wladimir Klitschko
“Oleksandr Usyk will keep me retired. My comeback is not going to go well. I’m going to stay retired. Usyk called me at the end of March this year, on my birthday, and said: ‘Champion, I wish you a happy birthday and that your dream of becoming the oldest champion in the world comes true’. I said: ‘Oleksandr, what are you talking about? You keep me in retirement’. He promised me that he would keep his titles but that I would fulfill my dream.”
Daniel Dubois
“I still support Fury. I hope our man gets it. Usyk is someone very capable, but Fury should jump on him and drown him. Fury is also a skilled boxer and it will be a great fight. I’ll be there asking to fight the winner.”
Roy Jones Jr
“It’s a very difficult situation for both of them. You never know how things are going to play out. But for me, Fury is one of the best at recovering and making adjustments. If he goes out and is methodical and does everything Usyk does, he’ll beat him again.”
Lennox Lewis
“Usyk has proven he is a winner and hasn’t lost yet, so it’s hard to go against him. Fury learned more from the first fight and now knows what to expect. Tyson’s preparation has been better. I’ve been in this situation and I know you have to do something a little different. I think Fury will go after Usyk a little bit more, like he did in the second fight against Deontay Wilder. He will be looking for revenge, he is focused this time. I think we are in for a very close fight.”
Mike Tyson
“Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world right now. But I think Fury will beat him. Why? Because I’m a fan of his. Because his father gave him my name. I’m not going to abandon him now.”
Ricky Hatton
“Tyson needs to impose the height, reach and weight advantages he has, but didn’t use in the last fight. He allowed the smaller man, Usyk, to move him around the ring. Tyson should stand his ground and use all of this to impose himself this time. And he must have a single voice in the corner, that of SugarHill Steward.”
Dillian Whyte
“If I was Tyson Fury’s trainer, I would tell him to go out and be more aggressive with Usyk, in the same way he fought Deontay Wilder the second time. Therefore, he needs to be the aggressor, be the bully. If he does that, Fury can win.”
Anthony Joshua
“I think it will be a tough fight at first and then I feel that Usyk will win again. He will know how to handle the situation and I think Usyk is one of the best there is. That’s why I think he will win.”
Joe Calzaghe
“I think it will be a 50/50 fight and whoever can implement their game plan better will win. I’m really looking forward to it and it will be as close as the first fight. I can’t decide.”
Tony Bellew
“Usyk wins on points. If the judges read the fight correctly and judge it correctly, I think it will be a unanimous decision. The only way I think Fury will come close to victory is if we have incompetent refereeing.”
Derek Chisora (rival of both)
“It will be another good fight. We will see changes in both, but I still bet on Usyk.”
Joseph Parker
“I think Tyson’s mindset has changed going into this fight. I think if you have a different mindset you can implement a lot of changes. I think Tyson can beat Usyk on points, but it’s a tough decision. I’m on Tyson’s side, but I think it’s a points decision.”
Eddie Hearn
“My heart says Fury, but my head says Usyk. Fury has to be much more aggressive this time, but that could suit Usyk’s counter-punching qualities. If I had to choose, I would pick Usyk on points in a close fight.”
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