George Groves is backing Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury, despite ‘The Gypsy King’ being the favourite.
Fury and Usyk have signed to fight, with December 23 or January 2024 the proposed dates for the undisputed heavyweight world title clash.
Due to his significant size and weight advantage, Fury is expected to beat Usyk, who only moved into the heavyweight division in 2019.
But, former super middleweight world champion Groves disagrees, claiming that Fury’s preparation for Usyk over the last year may be a disadvantage come fight night.
Fury’s last fight was a comfortable victory in a mismatch against Derek Chisora and next up he will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who has never had a boxing fight, on October 28.
Meanwhile, Usyk has recorded back to back victories over Anthony Joshua, as well as knocking out his mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois last time out.
“Usyk wins,” Groves told Grosvenor Sports.
“I don’t think Fury’s run of fights serve him well to fight in January, say, because his last time out was Chisora, that was almost like a glorified spar.
“He’s got this fight coming up with a UFC fighter, who knows what your mindset is when you’re fighting someone who you know is inferior to you.
“So, has he been training properly? Is he sharp? Has he had the right sparring?”
Groves continued: “Usyk is exceptional at being able to change and adapt. His boxing ability is superior, in my opinion, to everyone else in the heavyweight division.
“What he lacks in natural size, he makes up for in timing, shot placement, adjustments of feet, tempo and power.
“It’s Usyk’s hardest fight, and it might be a close fight, but I think I think Usyk wins.”
