Amir Khan backs Tyson Fury in undisputed championship fight with Oleksandr Usyk: 'I'm leaning more towards Tyson Fury'
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Published 17/05/2024 at 09:12 GMT
British boxing legend Amir Khan has backed compatriot Tyson Fury to edge his fight against Oleksandr Usyk. However, he admits that the clash in Saudi Arabia might be too close to call. The bout is the first undisputed heavyweight championship fight since the 12–round split draw between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis in 1999 and is live on TNT Sports Box Office this Saturday.
Tyson Fury reacts alongside Oleksandr Usyk ahead of the IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC and WBO Undisputed World Heavyweight Title fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk
Image credit: Getty Images
Amir Khan believes Tyson Fury is the favourite against Oleksandr Usyk, but insists that boxing's first undisputed heavyweight championship clash in 24 years is a tough fight to call.
WBC champion Fury will face WBO, WBA, IBF and Ring magazine title-holder Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The clash is the first undisputed heavyweight championship fight since the 12–round split draw between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Former unified light-welterweight world champion Khan believes fellow Brit Fury is the favourite, but by the narrowest of margins.
"It is a hard fight to call so I am leaning more towards Tyson," he told TNT Sports.
"Both fighters have power, they have speed, they have technique and skill so it is a hard fight to call, man.
"In my opinion, Fury is coming in a little bit light, obviously, I have seen him fight when he is light and he does not hold a shot well and he is all over the place.
"At the moment, everyone thinks that Usyk is going to be the one on the back foot, but I think he might be the pressure fighter in this fight.
"I think he is a technician, he is a very good fighter, and that is why you can't pick a winner in this fight.
"It is a very hard fight to call but I lean more towards Tyson, he has the skill, but Usyk still has a chance to win because he has the punch power and he is so unorthodox."
Fury refused to look his title rival in the eye as the two heavyweights came head to head earlier this week.
Around 2,500 British fans are expected at the Kingdom Arena on Saturday, and Khan admitted he had to witness the historic bout live.
"I didn't mind being at home and just watching the fight from the house but I had to come because I thought we might never see a fight like this, it has been so long since we have had a fight like this," he said.
"I had to be here, I am here to support our British fighter Tyson Fury, but still I have got a soft spot for our friend Usyk.
"Look, both fighters have been very professional, when you look at the fight and break it down mentally it is a hard fight to call.
"I think both fighters and their teams know that it is a very hard fight.
"As soon as one fighter makes a mistake they are going to get tagged and they are going to be made to pay for that.
"That is what makes this fight so exciting, it is more than technique, these guys have got power and one punch could change the fight.
"The last few fights we have seen Tyson go down a few times but I think watching both fighters we'll need to see what happens."
Boxing legends Holyfield and Lewis are both expected to be in attendance this weekend, and Khan can't wait for the generational fight.
"This is one of the biggest fights in boxing in this era," he added.
"Everyone knows boxing from the heavyweights, this is not just for one title but for all four titles, the first time after 25 years.
"The last time we had a big fight like this was Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.
"This is big, and for Saudi Arabia to be hosting a fight over here, you know how hard it is nowadays to make fights happen because promoters have their own egos, managers have their own egos, so fights never get made.
"Two promoters got together and made this fight happen - wow, check that out."
How to watch Fury v Usyk in the UK
Fury v Usyk on TNT Sports Box Office costs £24.99 in the UK and can be watched on discovery+, EE TV, Virgin Media TV and Prime Video.
You do not need to be a TNT Sports subscriber to buy this event.
discovery+ - TNT Sports Box Office events are now available to purchase and watch in the discovery+ app – on smart TV’s, computer or mobile device, viewers wanting to watch the fight should visit https://www.discoveryplus.com/gb/ppv-purchases and follow instructions to subscribe and then purchase the event.
Virgin Media TV - Customers with a TiVo and/or V6 set-top-box should visit the On-Demand section and choose Live Events; customers with a Virgin TV 360 and/or Stream set-top-box should go to the Pay Per View events rail.
EE TV - Customers can purchase the event via their STB on channel 494.
Prime Video - This TNT Sports Box Office event will now be available to buy and watch on Prime Video in the UK. Customers do not need to have any channel or Prime subscription to access. You can find live and upcoming PPV events in the “Live and upcoming events” row on the Prime Video homepage and sports page, or by searching for a specific event title.
What time will Fury v Usyk start and when are ring walks?
Fury and Usyk will meet in Riyadh on Saturday, May 18.
The live coverage of the event will start at 14:30 UK time on TNT Sports Box Office with a stacked undercard ahead of the headline fight.
The ring walk for Fury v Usyk is expected to be around 23:00 UK time.
Live coverage details
TNT Sports Box Office coverage will be presented by Laura Woods alongside Carl Frampton, David Haye and Steve Bunce with commentary from Darren Fletcher and Richie Woodall.
Three early bouts will also be broadcast, available for anyone to watch, on TNT Sports 3 and TNT Sports Box Office.
The Weigh In will also be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and YouTube on Friday, May 17 at 18:45 UK time, and will feature insight from the last undisputed heavyweight world champion, Lennox Lewis.
TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.
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