Ricky Hatton is expecting another cagey encounter when Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury meet for a second time on December 21, live on DAZN .
The fight, set to be one of the biggest events of 2024, will see both men renew hostilities following a terrific battle back in May.
In round nine, Usyk demonstrated his brilliance as he hurt Fury with a huge left hand that had the then WBC champion on unsteady legs.
Fury received a standing count from the referee before the bell intervened preventing Usyk from doing any more damage, but the Brit recovered well to hear the final bell.
This time around, Fury has promised a similar approach as he was happy with how most of the contest played out.
Hatton, a friend of Fury who has seen him work up close, is excited for the fight, and he’s given his verdict on how things could play out when the first bell goes later this month.
“It will be a very similar, close fight and is one of them that could go either way. If I was giving Tyson any advice, not that he needs it from me, his tactics could be a little bit better where he uses his size to his advantage,” said Hatton when speaking to ActionNetwork .
“Oleksandr Usyk is a hell of a fighter, but he was letting him bully him all over the ring and you’d have thought Usyk was the man mountain, and Tyson was the little fella the way he was pushing him around the ring.
“If Tyson holds his feet a little bit better and hits him hard, leans on him a little more, certainly in the early rounds then I think that will make a difference.”
