The Gypsy King has the chance to make boxing history if he unifies the heavyweight division by beating Oleksandr Usyk today (18.05.24) but Bellew insists that his ability pales in comparison to the two greats of the past.

He wrote in his BBC Sport column: "Fury is undefeated but there is a case for picking the right opponents at the right time.

"If he does beat Usyk, he is the best of his era but not the best in British history - there is no way he is better than Lennox Lewis.

"Lewis had everything: tactical brain, knockout punch, every shot in the armoury. He was the ultimate pugilist, a proper athlete in the heavyweight division. There is no chance Fury would have beaten Lewis."

Bellew added: "Promoters Bob Arum and Frank Warren have compared Fury to Muhammad Ali. They're just doing their jobs but, please, stop it.

"Ali is the greatest heavyweight of all time. He was a man who fought against a whole country for what he believed in and his people.

"The man is the greatest sportsman of any generation and, in my opinion, the greatest human being ever."

Bellew considers Usyk to be a far superior boxer to Fury but knows that the Brit's size advantage makes the bout tough to call.

He said: "If Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk were the same size, this wouldn't even be a contest. There is no way in the world Fury would win a round, let alone the fight. Fury's physical attributes are what makes it intriguing and close.

"He is fighting a guy who is six inches smaller. On paper, it's not fair. A huge monster facing a little guy. There are weight divisions for a reason.

"But Usyk has made a successful jump to heavyweight because he really is that good. He is the purest and best boxer Fury will ever face in his life."