Heavyweight boxing kingpin Tyson Fury has dismissed the credentials of former Olympic champion Oleksandr Usyk.
'The Gypsy King' says the Ukrainian would be a "lamb to the slaughter" against the elite of the division, despite a flawless professional record.
After a few troublesome moments in the early rounds, Usyk dispatched Brit Derek Chisora last month with relative ease, earning a unanimous decision victory against the power-punching veteran.
That win has guaranteed the London 2012 gold medallist a future fight with Anthony Joshua, who reigns as WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight champion.
Usyk extended his undefeated record to 18-0, and 2-0 as a heavyweight, after a five-year stint as the best cruiserweight in the world.
But WBC champion Fury isn't convinced the 33-year-old can hang with himself, Joshua or even Kiwi Joseph Parker, questioning Usyk's lack of power and size.
"None of us are quaking," Fury tells talkSPORT. "Is that it?
"Everyone’s like, 'Is that what all the hype was about?'
"On that performance, I can say that none of the top 15 heavyweights out there are sweating Oleksandr Usyk at the moment unfortunately.
"This is the heavyweight game and heavyweights ain't like they were years ago, and Chisora’s probably the smallest heavyweight out there.
"Being brutally honest, I think when he fights a big heavyweight who can punch a bit, it’ll be like a lamb to slaughter.
"My opinion of it is it’s the heavyweight division and not the cruiserweight division for a reason."
Unbeaten in 30 professional fights, Fury does credit Usyk for his highlight technical boxing ability, but says, ultimately, that won't help him against the power of a top heavyweight boxer who can end the fight in a flash.
"I understand all cruiserweights that do well want to step up to heavyweight to get that big money. They all want a piece of the pie, but there are divisions for a reason.
"After his last performance, I honestly thought he was better than he was, because I highly rate Oleksandr Usyk as a master technician as a cruiserweight.
"But at heavyweight, there was nothing that impressed me to be fair."
Fury's return to the ring has been the subject of much conjecture in recent weeks. A planned rematch against former WBC champion Deontay Wilder was scrapped, after the American let a guaranteed rematch clause expire.
Fury was tipped to wait for the outcome of Joshua's December showdown with Kubrat Pulev, but last week, he announced a title defence against Agit Kabayel on December 5 in London.
