David Haye’s pre-fight predictions have become somewhat infamous especially when it comes down to picking fights involving Tyson Fury.
Haye and Fury’s rivalry extends back to 2013 when the pair were supposed to meet in a blockbuster Battle of Britain, before the ‘Hayemaker’ withdrew twice through injury.
The former cruiserweight and heavyweight world champion has often opted the fighter in the opposite corner to ‘The Gypsy King’ including choosing Deontay Wilder to win all three fights against Fury, with the American being stopped in the final two bouts after a drawn first encounter.
Haye arrived into Saudi Arabia on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s undisputed heavyweight title showdown between Fury and Oleksandr Usyk and despite leaning towards the Ukrainian, the 43-year-old believes the pair will not be separated after 12 rounds.
“I do think Usyk’s going to win,” Haye told Box Nation.
“But whether he’s going to get the decision or not is a different matter.
“I thought Ngannou beat Tyson Fury in a 10-round fight, then Usyk can beat Tyson Fury.
“Tyson is I’m sure is going to be in significantly better shape this time than he was last time.
“But the fact there’s a version of reality where I watched somebody have their first ever boxing fight against Tyson Fury and beat him on my scorecard and many people’s scorecards and also the fact that Tyson Fury doesn’t seem to enjoy the southpaw style.
“Otto Wallin was able to have loads of success, push him up against the ropes and cut his eye badly.
“Tyson also got cut in sparring in February.
“Even when Ngannou turned southpaw, he had no answers.
“He’s supposed to be the significantly better boxer, he couldn’t figure out [Ngannou].
“I think it’s possibly the southpaw style and now he’s fighting one of the greatest every heavyweight southpaws.
“I think Usyk’s going to win on points, but I think it’s going to be a draw. A majority draw.”
Fury refused to look at Usyk during Thursday’s face-off after a subdued press conference.
The pair were supposed to fight on February 17, but ‘The Gypsy King’ suffered a cut in sparring, delaying the bout until Saturday.
Usyk’s team reportedly filed a complaint on Wednesday about the ring canvas that will be used, claiming that it could cause a potential trip hazard.
Fury and Usyk are set to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999 and the maiden four-belt holder.
