After defeating the former owner of three heavyweight titles (over 90.7 kg) British Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs) in a rematch, the unified champion from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) took part in a press conference .
Alexander commented his second victory over Joshua, the Brit’s post-fight antics, answered questions about Ukraine, a possible fight with British champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs) and the boast of the instigator of the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Can you tell us how this fight is different from the previous one?
— One judge gave the victory to Anthony. How is it different? This fight, which took place an hour ago, was very important for my country, for my team and for me personally. Because I boxed for the whole of Ukraine and for half the world. It was different in that, despite the fact that I can control my emotions, I was a little, but worried. Especially in the ninth round. But it was an element of surprise. Anthony at the time when it was the eighth round, he thought he had already won. I saw it in his eyes. Maybe it wasn’t. I dont know. But I kept repeating to myself, “You can’t stop. You can’t stop.” Quite a lot was at stake. And, thank God, there is a victory, the belts go to Ukraine. Ukraine will win.
– Before the fight, they said that if Joshua starts using his size, he will start to beat you. And, in principle, in the ninth round, he began to use it. But in the end, the belts go to Ukraine, why is that?
– Haven’t used it yet. It’s not the size that matters when you’re boxing. Here the real war was in the ring. And growth is useless. I think the spirit is at work here.
Usyk – Joshua 2. Rematch punch statistics
How did you feel about what Joshua did in the ring? And when he came back, how did you feel?
– Didn’t feel anything. Emotions. Everything is fine. You need to talk to him.
What was your reaction to Joshua praising you?
I don’t believe in praise. This is a bad aunt [смеётся]. I don’t like being praised. I do not perceive it normally, because it is flattery. I don’t like flattery. Flattery makes a person proud, and I don’t want to be proud. I want to be humble. And I’m working on it. Pride kills. Whoever exalts himself, the Lord will lower him, and whoever humbles himself, the Lord will exalt him.
What do you think of Joshua as a person?
“I have respect for him. I respect this person. But today he is emotional. I saw a little bit how he threw himself a little at someone from my team. If he wants to fight with me on his fists, then I 100% do not advise him to do this, because I have half of the team street fighters. I have 20 fights at the moment, and I have some guys who have 25 fights, but on the street. 25 fights, 25 knockouts. They won all 25.
Vitali Klitschko commented on Usyk’s victory in a rematch with Joshua
Everyone thought Joshua would win this fight. He was hungry, he really wanted to win this fight. What helped you win?
– The Lord helped me and the team that is with me, and my training.
Tyson Fury tweeted that the fight was shitty and that he would beat both of you in one night. What would you say to him?
He dreams about it every day. Will he beat? Do you know what he will beat? He will beat his ass [смеётся].
– You said that after the battle you would spend time with your family, with your children, that you want to take your children to school, but now this is happening in Ukraine … How would you like to see the future of your country?
— The future of my country? We will win and we will be at a very high economic level. Many tourists will come to us, because our country is rich in its history. Now many people in the world see. Once they knew Ukraine thanks to the athletes. Such as Klitschko, Shevchenko, Usyk, Lomachenko. Now the whole world knows our country as a country that defends itself from the second army of the world. And we stand very beautifully, and we also throw them on.
I just want to say that some people in the world they underestimate someone. Open your eyes to what is happening in the world. Just open your eyes and see what is happening now on the territory of Ukraine. Because Ukrainians don’t give up. Ukrainians go to the end. And they will win. We will win. It just takes a little time.
– It seems to me that you said in the ring that either you would fight Tyson Fury, or you would not fight at all.
— Yes, I said so.
— Vladimir Putin likes to show off his black belt in judo, walk around bare-chested and play macho. But you are the best Cossack in the world. How do you inspire people?
It’s good to inspire people. He does all this, he shows that he is strong, that he is powerful, that he is handsome. In fact, he is not like that. It’s all deception. He shows that he is strong, but he is weak. He shows what he is, but he is very weak.
“Usyk is a hell of a fighter!” Joshua’s emotional speech after the defeat