Billy Joe Saunders shares 'very simple' game plan and makes bold KO prediction for Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury rematch

09/01/2024 09:51 AM

Billy Joe Saunders believes Tyson Fury will KO Oleksandr Usyk when they rematch on December 21.

The Gypsy King missed the chance to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999 when he lost his historic first meeting with the Ukrainian.

Usyk dropped Fury in the ninth round en route to victory that saw him become the first-ever undisputed WBO, WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight champion.

Saunders, who is a former two-weight world champion and a long-time friend of Fury’s, believes the Englishman will make it look easy if he employs the right game plan in the rematch.

"I don't think there's anyone out there than can outbox Usyk," he told talkSPORT Fight Night.

"Tyson Fury, he can beat Usyk three times in one night with one simple game plan.

"It's very, very simple how to beat him. You have to use your size. You have to use your physical advantages. Every attribute you have you need to use to full effect with this man.

Saunders says Fury's first career defeat was due to a combination of things.

The 35-year-old believes his pal got complacent after outboxing Usyk early, but suggested issues in camp also contributed to his split decision loss.

Thankfully, Saunders will be in the gym helping Fury get ready for round two.

He added: "The first five rounds was like a sparring session for him.

"Actually, I've seen him have harder spars for the first five rounds than that fight.

"If he's getting his own way early on, he tends to switch off. If he gets knocked out cold on the floor and people don't think he's getting up and he gets up, that's when he switches his gears up.

"You've got to give him credit. I know there's a lot of speculation about the ninth round, but he didn't go down and he was still on his feet fighting.

"I'm not making any excuses for him, but I know what went on in camp and what didn't go on in camp.

"I know that, even when it came to sparring and other bits and bobs, there was stuff missing out of it that needs to be rectified this time.

"He's asked me to go away [for] training camp with him, so I'm delighted to say I will be going away with him."

Saunders believes with the right preparation and game plan, Fury can emphatically beat Usyk when they clash again in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

"I believe Tyson will win the next fight," he concluded.

"And I believe that he will win by knockout as well."