Heavyweight contender Micheal Hunter is backing Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury to beat Deontay Wilder.
Usyk battles Joshua on September 25th in London, while Fury and Wilder rumble again the month after.
Hunter sees Usyk’s superior skills as the difference when the pair collide for the unified belts despite home and significant weight advantages.
Usyk aims to become only the third man to win a cruiserweight world title and then a heavyweight championship, following in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield and David Haye.
On the path to a title himself, Hunter believes Usyk has all the tools necessary for the job.
“I think Oleksandr Usyk beats Anthony Joshua,” Hunter exclusively told World Boxing News. “I think he is the better boxer.
“But I think Joshua is just now learning some of the basics of boxing at the highest level,” he added.
Asked whether he believes his recent WBA eliminator win over Mike Wilson could lead to an imminent battle with the winner, Hunter wasn’t so sure.
“I don’t see a fight between Joshua and me [or Usyk] immediately as he has a current fight commitment.
“I would like to fight him in the not-so-distant future. I’ll keep pressing forward with all my energy to force a match between us.”
On the WBA’s recent effort to reduce belts, Hunter – like many – is happy the situation is being rectified.
“I think it is really good. The closer we get to one champion, it will be really good for boxing.”
TYSON FURY vs. DEONTAY WILDER
Meanwhile, ahead of the third fight between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, Hunter was urged for his opinion on the October 9th Pay Per View.
“I think Fury edges it out once again. Similar to their first fight without Fury getting dropped,” the American predicted.
Concluding on what adjustments Wilder needs to make, Hunter stated: “He has to learn ring generalship and where to place himself in the ring.
“It would do wonders for him.”
Furthermore, Wilder is a huge underdog to gain revenge for a crushing defeat to Fury in February 2020 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The manner of the stoppage sent shockwaves through the sport.
Ironically, if Wilder does lose – as Hunter predicts, “The Bounty” would certainly be one of the options for “The Bronze Bomber” to face if he does continue his career.
