British boxing legend Duke McKenzie thinks Tyson Fury's work rate 'isn't great' and that the Gypsy King 'can be read' as his fight with Oleksandr Usyk approaches.
The 35-year-old is currently preparing for the biggest test of his career so fight, with the pair poised to lock horns in just over a month.
Fury will go into that fight with more experience, having fought 35 times during his career.
Yet he will be facing a huge danger in Usyk, who has won all 21 of his career bouts so far.
Tyson Fury has been criticised by a former boxing star ahead of his fight with Oleksandr Usyk
GETTY
And McKenzie thinks Usyk will come out on top, insisting the Ukrainian is smarter and fitter than Fury as their showdown creeps closer.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "Usyk wins, I hate to pour cold water on anyone's parade but for me, Usyk wins because he's a much more complete all-round fighter.
"I don't think Fury has boxed anyone like him and Usyk will be so up for this fight and a good Oleksandr Usyk probably hold his own with just about any heavyweight that's ever lived...
"His ring IQ, he's very intellectual, very sensible, he punches perfectly, he times himself perfectly, he can nullify the bigger guys' size.
"That's what I think he will do against Fury, he can nullify his size and take that size difference away from him by getting on the inside, staying in the pocket, working him over and probably wearing him down - that's how I see that fight.
"Over 12 rounds, Oleksandr Usyk will be too much for Tyson Fury in terms of work rate.
"Fury's work rate isn't great at the best of times, he fiddles, he messes around, he feints, he twitches."
McKenzie then said that Fury 'can be read', with his predictability another reason the former boxing star is backing Usyk.
"Fury can be read, you know what he's going to do," he added.
"He's going to use his weight, he's going to use his height and he's going to try and lean on you, spoil you, push you back if he can, fiddle around, flick his jabs out, put a little combination together and then just keep leaning on you.
"You can read that quite easily, I think Usyk can read that quite easily.
"So for my money, if you can read Tyson Fury then you can beat him.
"The only problem Usyk will have is that Fury doesn't know what he's going to do from one minute to the next when he's in the ring."
Fury was a shadow of his usual self when he last fought.
The Briton laboured to victory over Francis Ngannou back in October and only won via split decision.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Lewis Hamilton has let his mask slip by storming out of interview after disappointing Japanese Grand Prix
- Rangers and Celtic players involved in heated altercation after thrilling Old Firm derby clash ends in draw
- Oleksandr Usyk responds to Anthony Joshua apology ahead of seismic Tyson Fury fight - 'I respect'
Tyson Fury struggled during his win over Francis Ngannou back in October
GETTY
But Roy Jones Jr recently said Fury would be taking Usyk 'seriously' after his issues last time out.
"Usyk is a great tactician but he's not all that explosive," he said earlier this week.
"If he was explosive it would be a problem.
"When you are smaller coming up to the big guys you've got to bring explosives to the ring or they won't respect you.
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will meet in Saudi Arabia on May 18
GETTY
"If he can't find those explosives before that fight takes place he will not beat Tyson Fury, I don't care what they say.
"Tyson Fury didn't take Ngannou seriously and he didn't look the way he should have against Ngannou but he's still Tyson Fury and he's definitely going to take Usyk seriously."
