Hasim Rahman insists Tyson Fury is a shadow of his former self heading into his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury was dropped and nearly stopped by Usyk in the ninth round of their inaugural encounter in May en route to a split decision defeat.

Usyk had Fury on unsteady legs in the ninth roundGetty

And two-time heavyweight world champion Rahman believes the Ukrainian is capable of completing the job when they run it back on December 21.

“I think Deontay Wilder got a big play in this Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch,” Rahman told FightHype.

“I believe Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury took everything out of each other.

“I think they’re both shells of their former selves, and I believe Usyk will win this rematch by stoppage.

“I know he knows he can drop him and hurt him, and now I think the confidence is there. I think he’s going to win by stoppage.”

Fury and Wilder exchanged nine knockdowns during their grueling trilogy series.

‘The Gypsy King’ picked himself up off the canvas twice in their first fight back in 2018, which ended in a controversial split draw.

But returned the favour 18 months later by decking Wilder on two occasions en route to a seven-round stoppage win.

Their third clash was even more damaging, with Fury scoring three knockdowns and Wilder two as the Mancunian capped off their rivalry with a vicious knockout.

After their final stand, Fury was left with massive swelling on the back of his head and feared for his health.

Fury was dropped four times by Wilder during their trilogy seriesMikey Williams/Top Rank

“I knocked him out in round 11, but it wasn’t just hunky dory and let’s all skip back to the changing rooms,” Fury later reflected.

“I was feeling the back of my head and I had lumps on the back of my head like fists.

“I didn’t know if I had brain damage, I didn’t know what was up with me.

“I was very frightened because I had these massive swellings on the back of my head.

“I was thinking, ‘I could end up with brain damage.’ I was concussed, I didn’t remember anything.

“I suppose when you get knocked down like that you don’t remember a lot. I was thinking, ‘Did I get put down four times?’ I actually got put down twice.

“I thought to myself, ‘You know what? I think it’s time to call it a day.’ That was after Wilder 3.

“I promised [wife] Paris, I said, ‘This is going to be my last fight, babe. I won’t put you through this anymore.’

“I saw everyone ringside and the amount of stress it was putting on them. I actually said, ‘I won’t fight again after this. I meant it.’”

Despite several brief retirements Fury continues to compete to this day and will do battle with Usyk for the WBO, WBA and WBC titles in Saudi Arabia.