- Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will rematch in a highly-anticipated showdown
- Barry McGuigan has delivered a bold prediction ahead of Saturday’s clash
I’m A Celeb star Barry McGuigan has given his verdict on the heavyweight showdown between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.
The pair met on a historic night for the world of boxing on May 18 as the Ukrainian southpaw beat Fury by split decision to become the first undisputed champion of the four-belt era.
Ever since the famed fight, the world has been eagerly anticipating the reunion fight between ‘Gypsy King’ and ‘The Cat’ and the time has almost arrived.
The two will meet in Riyadh on Saturday night in a 12-round thriller as the Gypsy King seeks vengeance after Usyk handed him his first and only defeat in professional boxing career.
This time around there will be three belts up for grabs, as Usyk has since vacated the IBF belt.
And McGuigan, who competed in the 1980 Olympics as a featherweight, has made a bold prediction for the fight.
Barry McGuigan has given his verdict on the clash between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury
The two heavyweights will clash in a highly-anticipated rematch in Saudi Arabia on Saturday
In his column for the Mirror, the 63-year-old wrote: ‘We know he (Fury) blows up between fights. He has had mental health issues. In my experience as a fighter, manager and coach, I don’t see him improving. Usyk is 37 but is a completely different animal.
‘A world class athlete who does not blow up between fights. He’s even talking about dropping back to cruiserweight. He is the better athlete who, even as an amateur, had a professional, disciplined approach. He is always in shape and committed to the sport.
‘Fury has a different way of doing things, which is fine, but does not promote a long career. Furthermore Usyk doesn’t pay attention to all the disruption. He just turns up to fight. Every. Single. Time.
‘That’s why he is unbeaten and why I don’t believe Fury will hear the final bell. Not only is Usyk a phenomenal athlete, he has Fury’s number.
‘Fury normally has speed as well as size over his opponents, but Usyk can deal with tall opponents and has more speed. He is a marvel.’
Fury and Usyk engaged in a intense staredown to close the event, with the head-to-head lasting over ten minutes.
The warring rivals were eventually pulled apart as they prepare to step in the ring in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Saturday.
Speaking during the event Fury was uncharacteristically concise in his remarks as he promised he was solely focused on the task at hand.
‘I’ve got nothing to say, apart from there’s going to be a whole lot of hurt and pain in this fight you watch.’ Fury insisted.
‘That’s all I got to say. Talking’s been done. You know, the first fight I talked, I joked, through all my career.
‘This time I’m serious. I’m going to do some f***ing damage here on Saturday night. Watch me go to work on this f*****.’
HOW TO WATCH: Register and watch Usyk vs. Fury 2 on DAZN here
