Barak Bess believes there is only an outside chance that Greg Hardy defeats Hasim Rahman Jr. on Saturday.
The pair fight as part of the DAZN x MF 003 event, which will be shown live on DAZN, now headlined by Deen The Great vs. Walid Sharks.
Rahman had been due to headline the event against Vitor Belfort, but Belfort contracted Covid and had to withdraw as a result.
Rahman remains on the card, now fighting Hardy, and Bess believes the boxer will not take too much notice of a late change of opponent.
“I believe since the paycheck stays the same, he’s not going through much,” he said on the DAZN Boxing Show.
“He’s the boxer.”
Bess expects the younger man to emerge victorious as a result of growing up in the sport, and his professional record.
“I believe he’s confident in his skillset, but he’s not fighting a boxer, he’s fighting an MMA guy,” he continued.
“Yes, he was already fighting a legend in Vitor Belfort, but now he’s fighting Greg Hardy, who’s coming off three losses in the UFC.
“He hasn't fought in a while. He can knock you out, he has some impressive knockout wins. He’s not a Vitor Belfort but he’s the bigger guy, but I just think skills pay the bills. Boxing is a sport that you have to devote everything to. And if you’re in MMA, you’re not going to be as skillful as these guys.”
Despite that, Bess did not rule out the chance of Hardy springing a surprise.
He added: “There’s a small chance he can rough Rahman up and get a little bit dirty, but I just don’t see it, I don’t see people coming from MMA and beating boxers.”