Tyson Fury ‘shell of his former self’ as boxing legend admits major fears for Gypsy King in Oleksandr Usyk rematch
BOXING legend Hasim Rahman has dubbed Tyson Fury a shell of his former self – raising fears heading into the rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury lost his WBC belt and undefeated record in May after 12 thrilling rounds with Usyk in Saudi Arabia.
The Gypsy King famously won the coveted green belt against Deontay Wilder in 2020 and defended it in their epic 2021 trilogy bout.
But Rahman reckons that hat-trick of fights with Wilder took the best years out of Fury – leaving him primed for a stoppage loss against Usyk.
He told FightHype: “I think Deontay Wilder got a big play in this Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch.
“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, 36, was saved by the bell in round nine against Usyk, 37, after finding himself in a world of trouble after an onslaught.
Usyk prevailed as the first four-belt undisputed champion in heavyweight history – but it did not last.
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To proceed with his December 21 rematch with Fury, he was forced to vacate the IBF belt.
Daniel Dubois, 27, was elevated from interim champ and knocked out Anthony Joshua, 34, in round five of his first defence.
The two are now in talks to rematch – as former champ Rahman backed Usyk to fight the winner and sail off into the sunset.
He said: “I think he should fight the winner of the Joshua-Dubois rematch and then call it quits.
“The man did everything you can do in boxing. He’s pound-for-pound one of the greatest champions ever.
“He’s a gold medallist, undisputed cruiserweight, undisputed heavyweight. What else can you do? He’s done it all.”