Paulie Malignaggi is selecting Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Tyson Fury of their rematch eight days from now, on December twenty first. He feels that Fury “Doesn’t have it anymore.” The previous WBC heavyweight champion isn’t what he as soon as was after an extended profession.
Malignaggi says he had picked Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) to win the primary combat earlier this yr on Might 18th with unified heavyweight champion Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs), and he was flawed.
Fury’s Growing old
He didn’t contemplate the bodily harm that Fury, 36, had suffered in his three fights with Deontay Wilder and his age. Though he’s one yr youthful than the 37-year-old Usyk, his way of life has not been the most effective. Fury seems like he crawled out of a foxhole after enduring a month’s value of heavy shelling throughout him. It took one thing out of him.
Malignaggi feels the wars with Deontay have induced Fury’s punch resistance to deteriorate to the purpose the place he’s susceptible to even a non-puncher like Usyk. The shot that Usyk damage Fury with within the ninth spherical was completely positioned, and it seemed onerous. He would have damage anybody within the heavyweight division with that punch.
It’s not simply Fury’s punch resistance that components in for his or her match subsequent week. He’s aged terribly, and it seems like 15 years have passed by since his trilogy match in opposition to Wilder in 2021. Bodily, Fury doesn’t bear in mind an expert athlete in his physique and face. He seems middle-aged.
Usyk goes to assault Fury, targeted on ending what he began within the ninth spherical of their earlier combat. This time, there gained’t be the identical referee to offer Fury one other standing eight rely, which suggests he’s going to be on his personal.
“Fury Doesn’t Have It Anymore”
“These three fights with Wilder. I don’t know if Fury is identical after these three fights,” mentioned Paulie Malignaggi to talkSport Boxing about Tyson Fury not being the identical fighter he as soon as was after three contests in opposition to Deontay Wilder from 2018 to 2021.
“What are the lingering results from the three-fight trilogy with Wilder, who is among the most devasting punchers in historical past? These issues stick with you as properly. It’s not simply way of life. It’s the powerful fights you’ve had.
“I’m going to choose Usyk. I don’t assume Fury has it anymore. I’m unsure he has it in the identical approach. I’ve at all times cherished Fury, however I’m unsure he can summon it again anymore,” mentioned Paulie.
