Spencer Oliver believes Tyson Fury’s plan to pile on weight for his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk could prove to be his downfall.
Fury is set to get a unique opportunity at revenge when he takes on previous conqueror Usyk on December 21, six months on from his undisputed title defeat in May.
Fury has shown off a bulkier physique just weeks from rematching Usyk[/caption]
The ‘Gypsy King’ will likely need to make adjustments to try and outsmart the gifted heavyweight king.
One of those changes is that Fury is likely to pile on weight for the clash to beyond the 19 stone mark according to reports.
He has already shown off a bulkier than usual physique in training camp, as he undergoes preparations in Malta.
But on the latest episode of talkBOXING, former boxer Oliver believes a heavier Fury could ultimately be his own undoing.
He said: “If Tyson Fury can rediscover the movement he had during the 2015 time against Wladimir Klitschko.
“But there’s rumours circulating he could come in a lot heavier for this one.
“Will that be his undoing doing that? Because if he is looking to bully him, I think you are playing into Usyk’s hands.
“Maybe he has to set the traps, he is good at doing that. Use that uppercut he did in the sixth round and draw Usyk in.
“That’s maybe the way to do it as opposed to try and bully him.”
On the outcome of the bout, Oliver went on to add: “I can see a way Fury does win but I’m leaning towards Usyk.
“Fury is great in rematches but Usyk is also good at making adjustments as well.
“It’s still very much a 50/50 fight but I’m leaning towards Usyk still.”
Fury weighed in at his heaviest at 19st 8lbs in his showdown last year with ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou.
His weight could well fall short of that, but is still a likely sign that he will try a different approach to beat Usyk.
It was a turbulent build-up to the maiden clash for Fury, whose camp claim he was left unable to spar.
This time, things have gone much smoother and the former WBC champion has a new game plan he is working on according to friend Billy Joe Saunders.
“Listen I’ve been keeping a close eye and I’ve been talking to his nutritionist Greg Marriot,” he told talkSPORT’s White & Jordan.
“His weight is looking good and his sparring is going well and he’s looking good.
“I think the game plan they’ve got now for this fight after speaking with Tyson the other day makes a lot more sense.
“It makes a hell of a lot more sense to me, the game plan last time was pickey-pokey and running around.
“It was about showing off in the ring and I think he was enjoying himself a bit too much.
“He let Usyk back in it, but this time I don’t think Usyk will get back in the fight if Tyson is up in the first six rounds this time. Definitely not.”
Usyk vs Fury 2 LIVE on talkSPORT
The highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be live on talkSPORT on 21 December.
The first fight saw the Ukrainian win via split decision and become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. He will now put his WBA, WBO and WBC belts on the line in Riyadh.
