Deontay Wilder's trainer, Malik Scott, has admitted he's been left stunned by Tyson Fury's transformation ahead of the 35-year-old's fight with Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.
Fury was far bigger when he fought Francis Ngannou back in October, only winning via split decision having previously been knocked down in round three of the contest.
The 35-year-old has since opted to slim down, however, with his new physique wowing fans.
Scott, speaking to Sky Sports, has admitted Fury looks in better shape than he expected as the contest in Saudi Arabia rapidly approaches.
Tyson Fury has been discussed by Malik Scott ahead of his boxing match with Oleksandr Usyk on May 18
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And while he'd normally back Usyk to reign supreme, he's torn over who will come out on top.
"In terms of winner, I would go with Usyk but at the same time, Fury is big and knows how to use his size," he said.
"Fury is in better shape than I thought he would be.
"He's not slow, he has good punching power and a good boxing mind.
"It's a good fight on paper. But we'll see what happens."
Wilder is yet to fight Usyk, though that clash could yet happen one day.
The American is currently training for his upcoming bout with Zhilei Zhang, with the pair set to meet on the undercard of the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol light-heavyweight world title fight.
Zhang has a point to prove after his defeat to Joseph Parker back in March.
Yet so too does Wilder, who lost to Parker himself in December last year.
Scott does think, however, that Wilder would get the better of Usyk if they were to engage in battle.
"I can see Wilder knocking Usyk out cold," he added.
"He's a smaller man, Deontay fights southpaws pretty well, the lineup is right there for him to be knocked out.
"It's just about Deontay staying focused, having tonnes of humility and being responsible defensively.
"As long as he follows those rules for me, he's unbeatable, it's when he gets away from those things that he's susceptible to being beaten.
"I wish boxing ran as parallel as I want it to but that's another big fight, Usyk is another big option still on the table.
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Malik Scott has been stunned by Tyson Fury's body transformation aheas of his showdown with Oleksandr Usyk
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"Anthony Joshua is still on the table, Fury is too.
"It's big-time boxing so he's in a good position so on June 1 I can't wait for you guys to see him because I'm expecting him to be the Deontay Wilder I know he is."
Fury has long insisted that he doesn't need a six-pack to become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Tyson Fury has slimmed down considerably as he looks to beat Oleksandr Usyk on May 18
Yet it'll still be fascinating to see whether he's got what it takes to beat Usyk when they fight in eight days' time.
Fury has won 34 of his 35 career showdowns, with a draw against Wilder in 2018 the only blot on his record.
Usyk, meanwhile, is unbeaten from all 21 of his own fights - having won 14 of them via knockout.
