EXCLUSIVE
Tony Bellew believes the old version of Tyson Fury would fare far better against Oleksandr Usyk than the current iteration.
WBC champion Fury has undergone a massive stylistic overhaul over the last couple of years.
2
'The Gypsy King' broke onto the world stage by comprehensively dismantling Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to claim the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.
Under the watchful eye of his uncle Peter Fury, the slick Brit outboxed and outsmarted Klitschko with his awkward and elusive point-fighting style.
Yet in recent years, the way Fury goes about his work has changed drastically.
Since linking up with SugarHill Steward in 2021, he has become more of a front-foot fighter.
READ MORE ON BOXING
Instead of jabbing and moving, the Mancunian now prefers to set his feet and enforce his will.
This worked brilliantly in his second and third fights with Deontay Wilder where he was able to nullify 'The Bronze Bomber's' earth-shattering power by putting him on his heels.
However, Bellew believes Fury's new style will play right into Usyk's hands when they duke it out for undisputed supremacy on May 18.
Speaking to Simon Jordan and Jim White on Thursday afternoon, Bellew said: "I think Tyson Fury stood the best chance of beating him when he was with his uncle Peter Fury because that's when he was an unorthodox, big, awkward fighter who used his size and his attributes to his advantage.
2
"Now, he's this fighter that loves to press fighters and look for a knockout under the brilliant SugarHill Steward at the Kronk.
"He's a different fighter now, he's someone that looks for the knockout and that's music to Oleksandr Usyk's ears.
"I know because I've been in there with him, the boy is exceptional at what he does.
Boxing legend Lennox Lewis warns Oleksandr Usyk he's fighting the best version of Tyson Fury ahead of the much anticipated heavyweight bout
"Don't get me wrong there is another side to that coin.
"Tyson Fury could get on top and he might be too heavy but in my opinion and from my experience, Oleksandr Usyk is going to win wide on points.
"We have to put this into context, if Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury were the same size, this fight wouldn't even be up for debate."
Most read in Boxing
Bellew knows all too well just how good Usyk is.
The Liverpudlian fought him back in 2018 during the Ukrainian's cruiserweight days.
Despite a promising start, Bellew eventually came unstuck and was caught with a vicious one-two that left the Brit slumped unconscious against the bottom rope.
Now Usyk is vying to become a two-weight champion following in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield, who lost to the last undisputed heavyweight king, Lennox Lewis.
Lewis will be waiting with open arms to welcome the latest addition to the club.
And the former division leader has insisted he believes Fury will be the next to complete the feat by winning on points.
"I believe that Tyson Fury has great attributes, he's tall, he can box out of both stances, he can go forward," he told talkSPORT's Spencer Oliver.
Read More on talkSPORT
"Right now to me it's difficult to beat a bigger guy so I'll always say the bigger guy has the advantage.
"I think Tyson Fury on points, but I'm not counting out Usyk."
Boxing WhatsApp channel
Get the latest fight news, reaction and the best opinion from talkSPORT pundits in our Boxing WhatsApp channel.
Follow our Boxing channel HERE.