AS Tyson Fury’s undisputed title decider against Oleksandr Usyk draws closer opinions continue to be divided.
The pair of unbeaten champions are set to collide in the heavyweight division’s first four-belt unification bout on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
Oleksandr Usyk next to Dave Allen, far right
InstagramAllen has sparred Tyson Fury and Usyk[/caption]
And one man well placed to give his verdict on the historic title bout is British heavyweight Dave Allen.
Allen has sparred both and in 2020 revealed that Usyk almost knocked him out cold and released footage of the moment it happened.
He said: “When I sparred Usyk he knocked me unconscious.
“I never went over, I finished the round. But I can remember him hitting me.
“Next thing I knew I was stood outside the ring, packing my bag. I was concussed.”
Since that spar, Usyk, 37, has gone onto become unified champ after twice beating Anthony Joshua, 34.
Meanwhile, Fury, 35, last fought in October in a controversial split-decision win over MMA star Francis Ngannou, 37.
He was knocked down in the crossover clash and deemed fortunate to walk away with the victory.
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And Fury was also forced to pull out of his scheduled February 17 fight with Usyk after suffering a cut in sparring.
So doubts have been raised over his form heading into the biggest fight of his career with oddsmakers now favouring Usyk.
But, Allen, 32, told talkSPORT: “I think Fury will beat Usyk, I think he’s too big.
“I think they are the two best heavyweights on the planet.
“The skill level is insane – I’ve sparred them both – but I think Fury is too big.”
Fury and Usyk facing offGETTY Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
