GEORGES GROVES revealed he was put on the spot by Tyson Fury over his prediction for the undisputed title fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury and Usyk are still negotiating the heavyweight division's first four-belt unification bout.
And the battle of the unbeaten pound-for-pound stars has divided opinions from the boxing world.
And ex-world champion Groves - a self-professed Usyk "fan boy" - left Fury unhappy with his prediction.
He told ProBoxingFans: “I saw Tyson the other day. He said, ‘Why are you picking Usyk and not picking me?’
Paris Fury speaks out on pregnancy 'rumours' in loved up NYE post with Tyson
“I said, ‘Someone’s gotta go the other way Tyson! It keeps it entertaining, keeps it interesting.’
“I think Usyk’s his toughest fight to date – what a fighter. And Tyson Fury – what a fighter.”
Saudi Arabia was a frontrunner to host the historic unification bout with Usyk, 36, even agreeing a financial package.
But Fury, 34, has not done so which has led to Wembley Stadium becoming a new alternative for the fight.
Groves - who retired in 2019 - is such a fan of Usyk he could not pick against the masterful Ukrainian.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST ONLINE CASINOS FOR 2023
He said to Boxing UK: “You’ve asked me the question that I have the unpopular opinion on.
"I’m such an Usyk fan. 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.
"I don’t know. I’ll just go Usyk cause I’m an Usyk fan boy.”
I cancelled 18th birthday party to KO Tyson record as youngest heavyweight king
