Tony Bellew thinks Tyson Fury has already blown his chance of beating Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their fight on May 18 because of his split with his former trainer, Peter Fury.
All eyes are currently on the Gypsy King as he looks to beat Usyk later this month.
There is, however, uncertainty over which version of the 35-year-old will actually turn up.
Fury has an impressive CV, with victories over Deontay Wilder and Wladimir Klitschko particularly memorable.
Boxing news: Tony Bellew thinks Tyson Fury has already blown his chance of beating Oleksandr Usyk
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But he underwhelmed the world with his narrow victory over Francis Ngannou back in October.
And Bellew thinks Fury is set to be out of his depth against Usyk, expressing a belief that his split with his uncle, Peter, back in 2017 was a mistake.
“The job he did against Gassiev in Russia was absolutely phenomenal," he said of Usyk.
"He did not take a shot, and that is what he’s capable of doing when he gets in the ring.
“He adjusts and he adapts with each style that he faces.
"Tyson Fury may pose some problems early on because of his size and because of his weight, but ultimately, he [Usyk] will adapt and adjust and take over the fight, and he will win on points unanimously.
“I think Tyson Fury stood the best chance of beating him when he was with his uncle Peter Fury because that was when he was an unorthodox, big, awkward fighter who used his size and his attributes to his advantage to his advantage.
“Now, he likes to press fighters and look for knockouts with [trainer] Sugarhill Steward at the Kronk [gym].
"He’s a different fighter. He’s someone that looks for a knockout.
"That’s music to Oleksandr Usyk’s ears.
"I’ve been in there with him. The boy is exceptional at what he does.
“I think Oleksandr Usyk is going to win on points. If Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury were the same size, this fight wouldn’t even be up for debate.
"He [Fury] wouldn’t win a round. This fight is so close is because Tyson Fury is 6’8, 6’9″, and he’s going in with guy that is the same dimensions as me, 6’3″ and about 225."
Fury is unlikely to care too much about Bellew's comments, however.
And the Briton, speaking to Sky Sports, has claimed he always believed he would be a 'star'.
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Tyson Fury split with trainer Peter Fury back in 2017
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"I always believed even when other people didn't, I always believed I'd be a star," he said.
"I always believed I'd make millions of dollars for fights.
"I always believed I'd be heavyweight champion and the best fighter in the world.
"I always believed it and now I've achieved it. First you've got to believe it then you've got to achieve it."
On what he's learnt along the way, he paused for a moment before saying: "I think you live and learn from your experience, nothing happens overnight.
Tyson Fury will need to be at his brilliant best to beat Oleksandr Usyk in their fight on May 18
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"Back then I wanted to Klitschko 10, I didn't get to fight him [until] years later, seven years after that.
"So I think good things come to those who wait. Nothing should be rushed."
