EDDIE HEARN says Oleksandr Usyk won't be a full-fledged heavyweight - despite his dramatic body transformation.
He has gained several pounds ahead of the fight for his unified heavyweight title with Anthony Joshua, which is scheduled to take place next month.
Anthony Joshua will be facing Oleksandr Usyk on September 25, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Hearn has not been convinced by The Cat's larger physique that he can keep up with the big boys.
TalkSPORT's Matchroom Boxing chief stated that Usyk would never become a full-fledged heavyweight. He is a true heavyweight in terms size.
Like many others, Hearn believes that what Usyk is lacking in size, he makes up for in skill.
He spoke out about the slick southpaw, saying: "What he will always possess is a tremendous amount of skill."
"It takes time to get into heavyweight. So let's put it this way: It would have been a lot easier fight for AJ a whole year and a half ago.
"Now that Usyk has fought in a real heavyweight contest in Chisora it will help him to begin to understand what is needed.
But AJ is a different type of beast. We'll see. A big man will always beat a small one.
Many people have dismissed Usyk's chances at beating Joshua and upsetting the applecart, but not Tony Bellew, his old cruiserweight opponent.
DAZN was told by the Bomber: "Believe me, mate. He hits hard enough for me to go down.
He's extraordinary. He is the best person I have ever met. He's so technically flawless. His footwork is amazing."
Bellew expects AJ will raise his hand at the end of the fight and says: "It is a tough fight, I'm sure not gonna lie. It's a very difficult fight.
"It's actually getting harder, because Usyk is now back with Lomachenko’s father.
It is even more difficult because they will devise a strategy that will try to negate all the good things that Anthony Joshua does.
"They are going to try and take everything from him.
"That's exactly what Usyk does so well. He will take away your strengths and then he will look at how he can implement his own.
"Take away your strengths and you will be lost. He's extraordinary for the things he does with his feet.
"So, I think it is a really difficult fight, and I think it can be really dangerous."
"TOO MUCH"
He said, "I think Anthony Joshua is going to be down on points when it catches up with me."
"I believe he will catch up to him between rounds six through ten - that is what I truly believe.
"I think the size is just too big, and I think the speed will be too great.
Anthony Joshua is now a student of the game.
He's studying extra. He is watching the old school fighters.
"He is a consummate professional and the best-conditioned heavyweight of all time."
"Physically, I would call him the best heavyweight athlete in the last 20 years. Without a shadow or doubt.
"All he has to focus on right now is his actual boxing intelligence, which is improving all the time.
"He's going to have to use speed and force against Usyk.
There is no other way. This guy is impossible to beat.
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