Ricky Hatton believes Tyson Fury will look to target Oleksandr Usyk’s body in their undisputed heavyweight fight this weekend.
Fury meets Usyk in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 18 live on DAZN PPV. The winner will become the first-ever undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
Much has been made of Fury’s potential vulnerability due to scarring over his eyes, but in August 2023 - Usyk’s last fight - the Ukrainian was heavily winded by a body blow from Daniel Dubois.
At the time, Dubois’ shot was ruled below the belt, and Usyk recovered to win with a stoppage in Poland, but speaking to Lord Ping, Hatton thinks Fury might aim for Usyk’s torso on Saturday.
“I think Tyson and his team would be foolish [not] to look at it. We know all about Usyk’s ability as a fighter, but as quick as he can move that head, the body stays still," said Hatton.
"I think Tyson will be looking to capitalise on that. He won’t focus on the body specifically, but he’ll have an eye on it.
“Dubois is a giant of a man and Usyk struggled to deal with him at times. Tyson is also a giant, and if you’re a little bit smaller, the last thing you would want is a giant firing shots into your ribs. Tyson will have seen that and perhaps he will work the body a little bit more than he normally does.
“Body shots slow you down. If he needs to slow him down, then staying on the body is a good strategy. As the old saying goes, [once] the body goes the head falls too.”
Live on DAZN: Check your region for PFL and PFL Europe on DAZN. Click here for details.