Former cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew believes Oleksandr Usyk would beat Tyson Fury if they were both the same size.
Fury stands around six inches taller than the 6’3” Ukrainian, and they will go head-to-head on May 18 on DAZN PPV .
The winner will be the first-ever undisputed world champion of the four-belt era, and many are backing Fury because of his size advantage, while some think the guile of Usyk will be the difference.
Speaking to BoyleSports - who provide the latest boxing betting, Bellew thinks that Usyk will win regardless, but thinks there would be less of a question mark if the two men were the same size.
He said: “This is the first time ever that Tyson Fury is facing a boxer who is technically better than him. If Fury and Usyk were the same size the winner of this fight would not even be up for debate. Tyson Fury would not even win around if they were the same size and height.
“Fury’s heavier and stronger and those are the only advantages I give him, in every department he's lesser. He doesn't have Usyk's feet, movement, or explosiveness. Fury potentially may be a better inside fighter, purely because Usyk doesn't allow people to fight that close. Whenever someone gets close to him his feet adjust and he adapts, he's got the greatest feet of any fighter ever.
“I think Usyk will build an early lead and then make Fury chase. I think he's going to be ahead by four or five rounds and then it's going to be a chasing game for Fury. I think there will be some shaky moments for Usyk, there will be some low blows and big heavy shots. I think there will be some worrying moments for Usyk from about rounds five to nine. And then I think he dominates the championship rounds and wins a unanimous decision.”
Live on DAZN PPV: Fury vs. Usyk on May 18. Click here for details .