Johnny Nelson has claimed Tyson Fury will beat Oleksandr Usyk if he puts his 's**t together'.
However, the former boxing star is also concerned the fight will be pushed back - despite both men agreeing to lock horns on February 17.
Fury and Usyk had been scheduled to meet in the ring on December 23.
Yet the Ukrainian agreed to a delay with his British rival needing more time to recuperate following his victory over Francis Ngannou.
Tyson Fury is currently gearing up for his boxing match with Oleksandr Usyk as February 17 creeps closer
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Fury's father has admitted he's seen a 'decline' in his son over the past few fights.
John Fury has, however, since clarified his comments and insisted he was referring to a decline in training standards - rather than ability.
Yet Nelson thinks the 59-year-old's comments speak volumes - though insists Fury will beat Usyk if he gets himself in order.
“It’s time, you can’t do nothing about that," he told Pro Boxing Fans.
"It might not be popular to say it but if his own Pops is saying it, and one thing I will say about John Fury, is that he will always speak the truth.
"He’s a straight-talking man. If he’s saying it you have to listen to him.
“But Tyson Fury, if he puts his sh*t together, he still beats everybody.
"His last performance, if he’s honest about what he said, then his legs are gone.
"If he wasn’t honest, I think he can turn it around.”
Nelson does fear, however, that the bout may be subjected to yet another delay.
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He continued: “But if he doesn’t fight February 17 then we have a problem.
"Because if his dad’s saying it now, it gives you a sense there might be a delay, they might want more time.
"I wouldn’t be surprised if they wanted to push it down the line a bit.”
Nelson isn't the only person to fear a postponement.
Carl Froch, speaking at the start of the month, suggested Fury may seek another delay if he enjoys himself too much over the Christmas period.
"Tyson’s got to get through Christmas and New Year, not relax, not have a drink, not overeat,” he said on his podcast.
“It’s going to be a tough one.
"He’s got a wonderful family, his wife and seven children, so he’ll want to relax and have a good time.
“Is he going to want to be training over Christmas and New Year which he’s going to have to do if he’s ready for the February event?
"I’m not sure, I think the fight will be pushed back to March. You heard it here first.”
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Fears are rising Tyson Fury's boxing match with Oleksandr Usyk could be delayed
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Fury, for his part, is confident he'll come out on top.
“We’ve both been chosen and there can only be one winner," he stated.
"I’m going to become the undisputed champion. More than that, I’m destined to cement my legacy as the number one fighter of this era.
"To do that I’ve got to beat this little man, which is easier said than done because he’s a tricky boxer, slick and all of that.
“But I’ve seen many like him before and when they fight the big men, they struggle. And he will struggle on February 17. I will break him."
