Former trainer of the unified heavyweight champion Alexandra Usika (21-0, 14 KOs) James Ali Bashir shared his thoughts on the Ukrainian’s upcoming fight against Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs), which will take place on February 17 in Riyadh.
— Usyk must be faster than him, be ahead on points, hit and retreat, hit and retreat, constantly move. Don't let Tyson put his weight on him. This is exactly what I expect Usyk to do. And by the time Tyson tries to wake up, it will be too late.
I think Usyk will win this fight. I don’t think Fury’s height and weight, his arm span, will play a role. Usyk is smart enough to do everything necessary to win a decision.
— If he becomes the undisputed champion, how would you rate him compared to the greatest fighters in the division?
— I’ll put him next to Holyfield and Tyson, below the top five greatest. I don’t think that this victory will allow him to get into the top five. Lennox Lewis, Joe Louis, George Foreman - these guys knocked out their opponents. That means something,” Bashir said.
