Oleksandr Usyk has changed his prediction for the Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury heavyweight fight, now describing it as a '50/50' contest despite previously backing his friend Joshua to win.
Fury and Joshua are expected to finally settle their long-running rivalry on December 11 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Fury is expected to enter fight night as the favourite.
Usyk's New Verdict
Usyk, a former two-time undisputed heavyweight champion who beat both Fury and Joshua twice, told DAZN on Saturday night: "It is a good fight, it is a 50/50."
He added: "A lot of fans have waited for the fight for 10 years because it is two big stars in the UK and a lot of fans around the world want this fight, me [I] too want this fight! I want to watch this fight because it's like a choice of who is the only king of the UK."
Change of Heart
The comments come just months after Usyk tipped Joshua to knock Fury out within six rounds. Joshua left trainer Ben Davison two years ago to join forces with Usyk's team for his fights with Jake Paul and Kristian Prenga, but has now reunited with Davison for the Fury clash.
In July, Usyk told the Mirror: "Knockout, six rounds. AJ, boom, right hand."
Asked at the time why he helped train Joshua, Usyk replied: "Because AJ is my brother. AJ hello! Because AJ's not proud. AJ understands, if you have a mistake, it's only your mistake, you must change. You know, mistake it's like, for me, it's like a gasoline, but if you do mistake one, two, three, you're stupid. If you do one, but okay, change, you look what you do not good, and change, but AJ is who changed his life."
