Fury vs. Usyk 2: Lennox Lewis makes predictions for heavyweight unification fight

Lennox Lewis says Tyson Fury will have to deliver “hurt and pain” to defeat Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight rematch on Saturday.

The 36-year-old Fury is looking for revenge against the undefeated Usyk, to whom he lost via split decision in May.

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

Lewis told BBC Sport, “Tyson Fury wins this because he’s the bigger man. He’ll use his jab and he needs to land more punches than he did in the first fight. He can’t mess around and he’s got to take the whole fight.” “Kind of need to be serious.”

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

“It’s not easy to hang around in the ring for 12 rounds and I think it will depend on who takes advantage of the moment, who has the best stamina and who throws the most accurate punches.”

Usyk, 37, was the first heavyweight since Lewis 25 years ago to defeat Fury and become undisputed champion.

Saturday’s fight is not for the undisputed title, with Usyk forced to vacate the IBF belt just weeks after his win.

Lewis advised Fury to “stay close” to win again against slight favorite Usyk in the rematch.

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

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

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

If Fury becomes a three-time heavyweight champion he will join an exclusive club.

Lewis achieved this feat along with Muhammad Ali and Evander Holyfield.

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

“I’ve set records for people so they can come back and make history. Tyson Fury is trying to make history but he still has a lot of work to do. He’s coming to the battlefield.”