By Charles Brun: Johnny Nelson expects the crowd for Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk to surpass the 95,000 that attended the Gyspy King’s fight last April against Dillian Whyte.
Nelson feels the undisputed clash between IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight champion Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and WBC belt holder Fury (33-0-1, 24 KO) has to happen in the first quarter of 2023.
Fury could wind up regretting it later if he takes the fight with Usyk because the Ukrainian talent is a better boxer than he can ever hope to be, and he’s not going to be able to use his standard tricks of leaning & holding to beat him.
The problem is that Fury has no patience when negotiating, and he’s become spoiled following his two wins over Deontay Wilder & his victory over the British journeymen Dillian Whyte & Derek Chisora.
Unless Usyk comes to heel right away, Fury will likely abandon the talks and take an easier foe, as we saw with his recent title defense against 38-year-old Chisora.
It’s fair to say that Fury’s foul-plagued victories over Wilder spoiled him, making him believe he can walk on water and roll over everyone he faces. Usyk could bring the 6’9′ Fury back down to earth by exposing how flawed of a heavyweight he is and has always been.
Fury needs to prove his dominance
“There’s no reason this fight can’t take place. They’re talking about the first quarter of 2023, and if that is the case, that’ll answer so many questions for everybody. It’ll be who can do what,” said Johnny Nelson to Sky Sports News about whether we’ll get Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk this year.
“I think he’ll prove his heavyweight dominance by beating Usyk, I really do,” Nelson continued about Fury. “Usyk is an outstanding fighter, but Tyson Fury has answered all the questions and proven everything he can in boxing. I think it’s a great vision for heavyweight boxing next year.
“Usyk isn’t a naturally big heavyweight. After his last fight, he was talking about moving back down to cruiserweight because he struggled to keep the weight. I saw him recently, and he doesn’t look like a big unit.
“The timing is perfect [for Usyk to fight Fury]. It has to be the first quarter. The potential date has been set. There’s no reason why they shouldn’t fight each other next.
“He has an amazing reputation. Tyson Fury has defied all the odds and is continuing to do so,” said Nelson. “I think it’s the perfect match-up for two unorthodox fighters, and it’s going to split opinion.
“If the fight happens, it’ll exceed the 95,000 sellout with Fury and [Dillian] Whyte if they did it here in the UK.So, I think that fight will be big.
“In boxing, you always need a dance partner. Here in the UK, it’s Anthony Joshua,” said Nelson.