Tyson Fury ended 2022 very much how he started it, on top of the world.

He once again retained his WBC heavyweight championship at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, putting down Derek Chisora in the 10th round.

As a result, talk once again turns to what comes next for the Gypsy King.

What is next for Tyson Fury?

Negotiations are ongoing for a bout with Oleksandr Usyk, the Ukrainian whose last two victories were both over Anthony Joshua, putting any chances of a Battle of Britain fight on ice for the time being.

This clash could take place in the UK, which is of course home soil for Fury, or even Saudi Arabia, it all depends on where the most money is, which automatically leads you to thinking it’ll be the latter rather than the former.

Despite the fight not being official as of writing this article, it hasn’t stopped people from already making their predictions, one such person is former boxer Ricky Hatton.

What is Ricky Hatton’s prediction for Fury vs Usyk?

Related video: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says side needs to be ‘almost perfection’ to be victorious (The Independent)

 

Loaded: 54.74%

Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:43

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says side needs to be ‘almost perfection’ to be victorious

0

View on Watch

Hatton, who also hails from Manchester, has weighed in on what he thinks will happen, as per the Manchester Evening News, and somewhat unsurprisingly, he’s backing his countryman to get the job done.

“You know, you can’t dismiss Usyk, you know Olympic gold medalist, cruiserweight world champion, heavyweight world champion, you know what I mean? And I don’t want to write him off, I can’t write him off because obviously he is so talented and he might just have the style to beat Tyson.”

A lot of fighters and pundits alike have written Usyk off in the past and most have paid the price. He has beaten Pole Krzysztof Głowacki, Tony Bellew, Chisora, and as previously mentioned Anthony Joshua.

Hatton continued to heap praise on Fury, though, insisting that he’ll just have too much for the Ukrainian.

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – AUGUST 20:Oleksandr Usyk talks to media after the Rage on the Red Sea Heavyweight Title Fight at King Abdullah Sports City Arena on August 20, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – AUGUST 20:Oleksandr Usyk talks to media after the Rage on the Red Sea Heavyweight Title Fight at King Abdullah Sports City Arena on August 20, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)© Provided by Give Me Sport

“I think Tyson is just so versatile and so much better in every area. He can fight southpaw, he can fight orthodox, he can stand tall, he can fight at close quarters, do you know what I mean? He has a wonderful defence, he has hand speed, he switches hits.

“He’s got speed and movement and boxing ability. He’s everything. He’s got everything Usyk has got and maybe a little bit more, and he’s bigger and he’s taller and he’s got the reach. For that reason it’s very hard to see anything other than a Tyson win.

“But I think all of us, if you turn around – If you put your hand on your heart and said, ‘Usyk’s got no chance’, I don’t think we could say he’s got no chance, but you’d have to favour Tyson, wouldn’t you?”

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Tyson Fury weighs in during the Tyson Fury v Derek Chisora: Weigh-In at Business Design Centre on December 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 02: Tyson Fury weighs in during the Tyson Fury v Derek Chisora: Weigh-In at Business Design Centre on December 02, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)© Provided by Give Me Sport

This promises to be an enticing unification bout no matter who you think will win. Let’s just hope both parties can come to an agreement so we actually see it happening!

Story by Jamie Rooke 
Give Me Sport