Frazer Clarke respects Oleksandr Usyk’s skill and has concerns over Tyson Fury’s weight loss
Unbeaten British heavyweight Frazer Clarke anticipates that Tyson Fury’s weight loss will have a drastic effect on his performance against Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed crown.
All four world heavyweight titles will be up for grabs when the two undefeated champions step into the ring on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Clarke reveals that, although his heart tells him that Fury will do the business, his head is more conflicted, with Usyk posing a dangerous threat.
On Boxing Social, he said: “It’s a horrible one because I’ve chopped and changed, you know.
“I was all Fury before the [Francis] Ngannou fight, and I know he was out of condition and what not, and I know he now is in condition but – this is going to sound weird, because he’s massive, but is he in shape or is he just skinny?
“There’s a difference. Has he just lost weight or is he in shape? I hope he proves me wrong; I want Tyson Fury to win the fight but Usyk, for me, is such a good fighter. I’m still on the fence.”
Fury went 10 rounds with former UFC champion Ngannou in his pro boxing debut back in October last year, when he clinched a split decision after getting floored in the third round.
After nearly facing the jaws of defeat against a vastly inexperienced opponent who, prior to that fight, had never boxed professionally before, people began to wonder whether Fury still has what it takes to defeat Usyk.
The 35-year-old recently appeared at a press conference in Morecombe, where he was visibly much lighter than what he had been against Ngannou.
However, Clarke is not convinced that the weight loss will play to his fellow Brit’s advantage, suggesting that Fury’s 6 ft 9 inch frame could be depleted when he steps into the ring in less than a month.
Predictions for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk