George Groves says Oleksandr Usyk is the best heavyweight in the world by a ‘country mile’ and backs him to beat Tyson Fury

Tyson Fury will be a heavy favourite when it comes to his fight with Oleksandr Usyk, but not in the eyes of George Groves.

The former super middleweight world champion believes Usyk is the most skilful heavyweight in the world and he thinks those skills could be enough for him to overcome ‘The Gypsy King’.

“I’m such an Usyk fan,” Groves said in an interview with Boxing UK.

“I don’t know if he is big enough to challenge Fury if Fury’s really on it and up for it.

“But, when it comes to ability, Usyk’s the best heavyweight in the world by a country mile, in my opinion.

Groves then provided a prediction for when the pair fight, as he said: “I don’t know. I’ll just go Usyk because I’m an Usyk fan boy.”

The chances of the undisputed clash between Fury and Usyk happening next year are looking very good after the Ukrainian’s manager, Egis Klimas, revealed all in an interview with talkSPORT on Thursday.

“So, I’ve been speaking with Queensbury promotions before and we spoke to Top Rank [on Thursday] morning on a conference call.

“All of us got together and we are almost done, there is not much left to talk.

“Two heavyweights, the best in the sport today, undisputed heavyweight championship bout, that is what the fans need.”

Klimas was then asked about a potential date and location for the fight and he said: “Most likely it is going to be no later than March 4 and most likely it will end up in the Middle East.

“But during today’s conversation I heard other options are coming like maybe London, Qatar.

“But, most likely we are aiming for Saudi [Arabia] because they are very interested in that fight, Saudi [Arabia] loves Usyk.”