Boxing legend Hasim Rahman has claimed Tyson Fury is a 'shell of his former self' as his crunch rematch with Oleksandr Usyk creeps closer.
The Gypsy King will be hoping to strike gold second time around, having lost to his Ukrainian rival back in May.
Fury was outperformed by Usyk on that occasion, with the Briton suffering the first professional defeat of his career.
And Rahman, speaking to FightHype, has now claimed the 36-year-old is a 'shell of his former self' as he looks to return to winning ways.
Tyson Fury has been dubbed a 'shell of his former self' as his blockbuster rematch with Oleksandr Usyk creeps closer
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“I think Deontay Wilder got a big play in this Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch," he said.
"I believe Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury took everything out of each other.
“I think they’re both shells of their former selves, and I believe Usyk will win this rematch by stoppage.
“I know he knows he can drop him and hurt him, and now I think the confidence is there. I think he’s going to win by stoppage.”
Fury was, in truth, fortunate to avoid being knocked out by Usyk during their first bout.
He was saved by the bell in round nine and eventually ended up losing via split decision.
Meanwhile, Anthony Joshua recently lost to Daniel Dubois at Wembley - with the 27-year-old then demanding a rematch with Usyk.
Dubois previously lost to the heavyweight star in August last year.
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Rahman, discussing Usyk's future, has backed him to fight the winner of Dubois' rematch with Joshua.
The boxing legend also thinks Usyk will then choose to hang up his gloves and retire from the sport.
“I think he should fight the winner of the Joshua-Dubois rematch and then call it quits," he said.
“The man did everything you can do in boxing. He’s pound-for-pound one of the greatest champions ever.
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Tyson Fury has Hasim Rahman worried ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk
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"He’s a gold medallist, undisputed cruiserweight, undisputed heavyweight. What else can you do? He’s done it all.”
Fury, meanwhile, recently defended Joshua and backed his fellow Briton to answer his critics following his chastening defeat to Dubois.
"It’s heavyweight boxing. [Stuff] happens. You get knocked spark out," he said.
"It could have been me. In the heavyweight division, it’s what happens.
Tyson Fury lost to Oleksandr Usyk in their first fight back in May
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“What went wrong is what always happens in heavyweight boxing. A good right hand on the end of the chin, and that was it.
"I don’t know. It’s up to the man and whatever he wants to do. If he has good ambitions to come back again, he can make his own decisions. He’s a big boy.
“I thought it was a 50-50 fight. Dubois is a lot younger. He’s 27-years-old. Joshua is 35, the same age as me [Tyson is actually 36, with Joshua 34]. Age doesn’t wait for anybody.
"You get hit with those punches. You don’t see many heavyweights get hit, get knocked down, get back up, and continue on."