An undisputed world heavyweight title fight between the WBC champion Tyson Fury and WBA, WBO and IBF title holder Oleksandr Usyk is on the wishlist of many boxing fans for 2022, but who would be the victor if the pair were to meet?
Malik Scott believes it will be the Ukrainian who will come out on top and enjoy plenty of success against a more agressive Fury.
Scott was Deontay Wilder's trainer for his unforgettable trilogy fight with Fury in October and told ES News the 33-year-old Englishman is a lot easier to hit than before.
"This Tyson Fury is much more vulnerable and easier to hit,” Scott said.
“I believe the Tyson Fury that fought Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder the first time, I believe that Tyson Fury gives Usyk all kinds of fits. The movement, the reflexes Tyson Fury – I believe this Tyson Fury now, I believe Usyk would beat.
"The heavier Tyson Fury that’s coming forward, that wants to take chances and put his weight on people. I think that is a perfect system for Usyk to operate off of. Because his feet are fast, he turns on angles, he’s a good counter puncher and his punches are so accurate they come with a bit more sting than they appear. So if I had to bet, I would bet Usyk would beat Tyson Fury.”
Fury was orignally scheduled to face mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte early next year, but a legal battle between Whyte and the WBC has put these plans on hold.
Instead, the WBC world heavyweight champion is likely to face Andy Ruiz Jr, Otto Wallin or Robert Helenius in a non-title fight.