Famed trainer and analyst Teddy Atlas has made his final prediction for Oleksandr Usyk‘s rematch with Tyson Fury.
Usyk beat the Brit back in May to become undisputed heavyweight champion. Though he has since vacated one belt and now only holds the WBC, WBA and WBO title, Fury’s goal here is more about keeping his name in the conversation for the best of a generation.
He will step through the ropes heavier for the return fight, likely looking to impose himself on the smaller man and take the fight out of the hands of the judges. Will that work or play into Usyk’s strategy?
Speaking to Box Nation. Atlas is backing the champion to keep his belts.
“Usyk. Why am I going with Usyk? Same reason I went with him the first time … the greatest trait of Usyk, he finds a way to win. He’s always found a way since he was a kid.
Winning the Olympic Gold Medal, winning the cruiserweight title, consolidating the titles, going to another country and fighting the bigger heavyweight for the heavyweight title and then, just to show it wasn’t a fluke, he goes back to that country and beats him a second time.”
Though Atlas discussed what changes each man will have made in the time since their first meeting, he summed up his prediction simply.
“They left a piece of themselves in the ring the last time they fought. You know what it comes down to for me? Who left more of themself in the ring. I’m gonna say Fury did, and that’s why I’m picking Usyk.”
