Promoter Oscar De La Hoya is picking Tyson Fury to avenge his loss to WBA, WBC and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk tonight, predicting a knockout victory for the Gypsy King in Riyadh.
De La Hoya says he sees something in Fury's (34-1-1, 24 KO) eyes that makes him think he will win. He feels Fury, 36, wasn't there mentally in his 12-round split decision loss to Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) earlier this year on May 18.
Can Fury avenge his loss?
Oscar believes the 55-pound advantage and power of former WBC heavyweight champion Fury will be too much for the 226-pound Usyk, who started his career at cruiserweight.
Fury weighed in at a whopping 281 lbs at Friday's weigh-in. Even though Fury's weight is probably five to six pounds lighter due to him weighing in with a leather jacket on, he'll still outweigh Usyk by 40+ pounds tonight.
One area De La Hoya failed to mention was Fury's fragile punch resistance. He was hurt by Usyk in the ninth round, taking 20 consecutive blows to the head before being saved by the benevolent referee, who oddly counted him standing eight.
That was only seven months ago, and that's not enough time for Fury's head to recover from what he suffered in that round. If Usyk hits Fury on the chin, he might go away like before. There won't be that ref to save him this time with another helpful standing eight count.
Oscar predicts Fury KO
“I love Tyson Fury. I see something in his eyes. I see something in his spirit, and I just believe that the first fight they had, I don't think Tyson was here (mentally),” Oscar De La Hoya told Fighthype. Youtube channel, talking about the first match between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on May 18.
“This time, I see him focused, I see him determined, and I could see him knocking Usyk out,” De La Hoya continued. “I think it's a good thing. A 50lb difference is a huge, huge advantage,” Oscar said of Fury outscoring Usyk by 55lb at the weigh-in.
“I think if Tyson lands a perfect shot, Usyk goes down, and I love Usyk. He is the best boxer and heavyweight in recent times. I think Tyson's reach and IQ in the ring may overpower Usyk this time.”
Fury will need Usyk immobilized to finish him off if he hurts him with a punch, as he lacks the one-punch power to get a knockout.
“I'll go with Fury,” said Amir Khan. “He will be more than ready because Fury has that natural talent. He is technically more talented and bigger than them. I have Fury winning this fight because he is bigger and stronger. He will learn from the mistakes he made in the first fight. One thing about Fury is that he adapts pretty quickly.
“Fighting Wilder in the first fight and the second fight, he adjusted so much going into the third fight. That's the only thing about Fury. He is one of those fighters who is always adapting and always getting better. He always learns from his mistakes and becomes a better fighter,” said Khan.
