Tyson Fury has warned Oleksandr Usyk that while the Ukrainian might have defeated Anthony Joshua he won’t be able to overcome an “elite, big” heavyweight.

Fury, the WBC champion, meets the unified WBA, WBO, and IBF titlist Usyk in the undisputed heavyweight championship fight on May 18,

Fury paid due respect to his opponent at a press conference in his hometown of Morecambe.

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“It’s not personal. It’s strictly business for both fighters. There’s a lot of stuff on the line, but I don’t hate him,” Fury said of Usyk.

“I respect him as a man, as a fighter.

“Anyone would have to respect the man’s achievements. He’s unified heavyweight champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion,” he added.

But Fury’s confidence is rock solid that he will prevail in their May 18 clash: “I’m the best. I’m just defending my ‘best-ness’ against him,” he declared.

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He is determined to leave his mark on the sport’s history and crown himself as, indisputably, the best heavyweight in the world next month.

“I’ve studied this game all my life. This is my time, my destiny, my era, and my generation,” he said.

Tyson Fury will fight Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship live on Sky Sports Box Office on May 18; Fury tells press conference he respects Usyk as an opponent but explains why he is convinced the Ukrainian cannot defeat him

Tyson Fury has warned Oleksandr Usyk that while the Ukrainian might have defeated Anthony Joshua he won’t be able to overcome an “elite, big” heavyweight.

Fury, the WBC champion, meets the unified WBA, WBO and IBF titlist Usyk in the undisputed heavyweight championship fight on May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office.

READ MORE :Derek Chisora claims he knows who Anthony Joshua is fighting next, and it’s not Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk

Fury paid due respect to his opponent at a press conference in his home town of Morecambe.

“It’s not personal. It’s strictly business for both fighters. There’s a lot of stuff on the line, but I don’t hate him,” Fury said of Usyk. “I respect him as a man, as a fighter.

“Anyone would have to respect the man’s achievements. He’s unified heavyweight champion, undisputed cruiserweight champion.”

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But Fury’s confidence is rock solid that he will prevail in their May 18 clash: “I’m the best. I’m just defending my ‘best-ness’ against him,” he declared.

Oleksandr Usyk appears to have bulked up to face Tyson Fury.

The Ukrainian has been pictured in his training camp as he prepares to take on the ‘Gypsy King’ for a chance to become undisputed champion, the first since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999.

Usyk posted footage on a speed ball, showing off both his fast hands and impressive shape, where he looks significantly bulkier than in previous appearances on social media.

And fans were quick to react, with one writing: “Usyk is always in shape, but he looks like he’s ready to fight right now!”

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Another agreed: “Looks in great shape, and his arms seem a lot more muscular than normal.

One fan even questioned: “Has Usyk ever looked in better shape?”

A comment joked: “Looking hench or maybe it’s the haircut.”

One even predicted: “You’re looking at undisputed champion right here, I’ve said it from the start.

“Usyk will bully him with his hand speed and better footwork.”

Although some were less optimistic, with a fan writing: “Things to note – Bag high up to imitate Fury’s head. Punching up reduces power. Usyk has got no power.”

A viewer was more impressed with his skills, concluding: “Absolutely amazing skills while looking at the camera, he only missed the ball once!”

The Ukrainian previously reigned as undisputed cruiserweight world champion, before piling on weight to compete in the blue-riband division.

He has made a huge impression despite being smaller in size, beating Derek Chisora, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois since stepping up.

But the size difference to 6ft 9ins Fury could be huge on the night, given the unified champion stands six inches smaller at 6ft 3ins.

Fury has regularly aimed critical jibes at Usyk for his size, but many are expecting the Ukrainian to possess the superior boxing skills on the night.

The Briton also himself looks in brilliant shape, and has shown off a remarkable transformation since narrowly beating Francis Ngannou in October 2023.

Fans have been equally impressed by the WBC champion’s training footage, as he worked the pads with his father John Fury.

Duke McKenzie is backing Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury on points and has laid out exactly how he does it.

The British boxing legend anticipates Usyk will get a read on Fury early, nullify him on the inside and then outwork him over the distance.

A lot has been made about Fury’s superior size and weight in the lead-up to fight night

Several members of the boxing fraternity believe the Mancunian will be simply too big for Usyk when they duke it out in Saudi Arabia on May 18 for the undisputed heavyweight crown.

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‘The Gypsy King’ is 6ft 9in and tends to weigh in at around 270lb for his fights.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Usyk, who previously boxed plied his trade in the cruiserweight division, stands at 6ft 3inch and will likely be 50lb lighter when he steps on the scales.

However, McKenzie, a former three-weight world champion and veteran of 46 professional fights (39-7), expects Usyk’s boxing IQ to shine through.

“Usyk wins, I hate to pour cold water on anyone’s parade but for me, Usyk wins because he’s a much more complete all-round fighter,” he told talkSPORT Fight Night on Saturday.

“I don’t think Fury has boxed anyone like him and Usyk will be so up for this fight and a good Oleksandr Usyk probably hold his own with just about any heavyweight that’s ever lived…

“His ring IQ, he’s very intellectual, very sensible, he punches perfectly, he times himself perfectly, he can nullify the bigger guys’ size.

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“That’s what I think he will do against Fury, he can nullify his size and take that size difference away from him by getting on the inside, staying in the pocket, working him over and probably wearing him down – that’s how I see that fight.

“Over 12 rounds, Oleksandr Usyk will be too much for Tyson Fury in terms of work rate. Fury’s work rate isn’t great at the best of times, he fiddles, he messes around, he feints, he twitches.”

Expanding on what Fury brings to the table, McKenzie added: “Fury can be read, you know what he’s going to do.

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“He’s going to use his weight, he’s going to use his height and he’s going to try and lean on you, spoil you, push you back if he can, fiddle around, flick his jabs out, put a little combination together and then just keep leaning on you.

“The only problem Usyk will have is that Fury doesn’t know what he’s going to do from one minute to the next when he’s in the ring.”