Deontay Wilder’s trainer Malik Scott believes that Tyson Fury would not be able to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in their current conditions.
Scott was a heavyweight boxer himself before he transitioned to training fighters, and oversaw Wilder’s much improved performance in the trilogy rematch with Fury.
Wilder lost in October in Las Vegas, but after appearing in disarray and paranoid in the months after his defeat, put in a credible showing that suggested he remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the division.
Scott has sparred with both Usyk and Scott, and speaking to ESNews, he explained why he backed Usyk as the potential victor. The Ukrainian three-belt champion must first take on and beat Anthony Joshua in a rematch, and WBC title holder Fury will defend his belt against Dillian Whyte this weeekend. Win their respective fights, and an undisputed clash could be on the cards for later this year.
“I want this to be very clear, this is not coming from a hateful place or anything like that,” he began.
“I’m a man of logic. I’m going off of my logic.
“As far as Usyk and Fury – I believe that 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 right now, I believe Usyk would beat.
“The heavier Tyson Fury that’s coming forwards, 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 they appear.
“So if I had to bet on that, I would bet Usyk would beat Tyson Fury.
“This Tyson Fury is much more vulnerable and easier to hit than any Tyson Fury before.”