‘He needs to be totally serious’ – Lewis backs Fury

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'He needs to be totally serious' - Lewis backs Fury

Lennox Lewis says Tyson Fury must inflict “hurt and pain” to beat Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight rematch on Saturday.

Fury, 36, seeks revenge against the undefeated Usyk, to whom he lost in May on a split decision.

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Lewis picked Fury to win in the first fight and is doing so again in the rematch, if the Briton can play to his strengths.

“Tyson Fury wins this because he is the bigger man. He will use his jab and needs to throw more punches than the first fight. He can’t muck around and needs to be totally serious,” Lewis told BBC Sport.

“Usyk is good at making you pay. He moves well and that movement is to make you miss and then make you pay.

“It’s not easy to move around the ring for 12 rounds and I think it will come down to who seizes the moment, who has the best stamina and who punches the most accurate.”

Usyk, 37, was the first heavyweight since Lewis 25 years ago to become undisputed champion when he beat Fury.

Saturday’s bout is not for the undisputed title, with Usyk forced to give up the IBF belt in the weeks after his victory.

Lewis advised Usyk, a slight favourite in the rematch, to “stay close” to Fury to win again.

“When Fury punches, you punch – make him miss and make him pay again,” he said.

“Get inside and hit the body because later in the rounds that will impact Tyson Fury.”

Morecambe fighter Fury was four stone heavier than Usyk at Friday’s weigh-in, aiming to make his size advantage count.

Fury will join an elite club if he becomes a three-time heavyweight champion.

Lewis achieved the feat, alongside Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield.

“It’s a very exclusive club. Only the strong survive,” Lewis said of Fury’s chances.

“I set records for people to make history to come back and beat. Tyson Fury is trying to make history but he’s got a lot work to do. He’s going to be in the battlefield.”

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