Former three time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield is backing Tyson Fury to overcome mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte.

Fury will defend his WBC world title against Whyte on April 23 at Wembley Stadium in London.

“I think Dillian’s got the energy to give him problems, but I think Tyson Fury is clever. He is just a clever fighter and I don’t think Whyte can beat him," Holyfield told The Sun.

Holyfield was the undisputed cruiserweight champion before he made a move to the heavyweight division - where he accomplished the same status.

Oleksandr Usyk is attempting to do the same. He became the undisputed champion at cruiserweight - and currently has four heavyweight titles around his waist, after capturing the WBO, WBA, IBF, IBO titles from Anthony Joshua last September.

Holyfield believes the style of Usyk could create some issues for a fighter as big as Fury.

“Well, this is what I know: Most little guys are always better than the big guys. A lot quicker and you’re very good with moving. What made me the fighter that I was is I was a lot smaller than most, so it was very easy for me to hit them and I was a lot quicker," Holyfield told The Sun.

“I can see Usyk giving him problems. So, I think the smart thing to do is eliminate this ‘I’m bigger than him so this and the other’ because everybody knows that small guys fight better, more skillful and faster than big guys. Big guy’s got the power! If they catch you they can hurt you! But can Tyson Fury hurt him? And the thing is Tyson Fury is an OK puncher but he’s not a big puncher, and so him not being a big puncher he’s not going to be quicker than Usyk anyway.”

“The guy with faster hands will throw more punches. That is a guy to duck by saying ‘Oh I’m a bigger guy I’m not going to fight him.’ You’re the biggest guy and you fight a guy that is quicker but smaller, but most small guys are a lot better fighters too than big guys.”