Carl Froch thinks that Tyson Fury will struggle against Oleksandr Usyk if he does not get back to boxing soon.
Fury is known for his tendency to put on weight between fights, often boasting of his alcohol intake and diet.
Usyk meanwhile recently posted a picture where he looks particularly svelte for his weight class, and is often seen in training even when he does not have a fight lined up.
Speaking to talkSPORT, former world champion Froch suggested that if Fury is not back in action soon, then a ring-rusty champion could struggle.
He said: “If he gets too out of shape and remains out of the ring for too long, there comes a point of no return where he could find himself in a tough fight against an average opponent.
“I believe Fury would have the physical advantage over Usyk, but he needs to be in top form, 100 percent focused, and prepared for 12 rounds.
“He has to be fit for 12 rounds because if Usyk decides to maintain distance, box smartly, and avoid engaging too much, constantly targeting Fury's body, arms, and chest, and only striking when within range, it could spell a 12-round disaster for Tyson Fury.
“I'm not entirely convinced he would go straight in against Usyk, and that might be why he priced himself out of the fight.”
Fury has suggested a number of opponents since his December win over Derek Chisora, with Martin Bakoli, Agit Kabayel and Frank Sanchez all mentioned as fighters that the WBC champion would be expected to beat.
If Fury were to get through that fight then a rumoured double-header, fighting against Usyk on the same card as Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder, could be made for December in Saudi Arabia.