General Director of K2 Promotions Ukraine Alexander Krasyuk gave
interview for the British media.
Krasyuk commented on the organization of the fight for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) between the unified champion from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and the WBC title holder Briton Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) ). The promoter named the likely date for the fight, spoke about the agreement of the sanctioning organizations and commented on Usyk’s mood.
– We still before the fight (Fury) with Chisora, it was said that the fight for the title of absolute champion was agreed with Usyk. Fury did what he had to, what was expected – passed Chisora. It doesn’t look like he’s been injured, cut or anything like that. So why hasn’t the fight for the title of absolute champion been announced yet?
– There are two things. This fight is the biggest fight in boxing. We can announce it, say, today or tomorrow. We have the main option – to spend it at Wembley, in Cardiff or anywhere else in Britain. But because we’re working for our people, who are the best heavyweights in the world, we have to bring them the biggest income. So we’re working on that right now. We are working on the venue. We are in negotiation with three countries in the Middle East and there is still the UK option. So the worst scenario is to have it at Wembley or any other big stadium. Other scenarios are to spend it in the Middle East. The deadline we agreed on together is March 4th.
– To have a duel?
– Exactly.
Is March 4 the most likely date at the moment?
Most likely, and I’ll tell you why. If it does not take place before March 4, it will most likely never take place at all.
– Wow. What do you see that can stop this fight?
Tyson Fury will refuse.
– Is it the only thing?
– Maybe some global things in terms of the situation in the world. But in terms of boxing, it’s the only thing that can stop a fight. Of course, you can never talk about injuries and something unexpected, but in general this fight should take place, and Tyson Fury has already agreed to it. Queensberry, Top Rank, Usyk’s team, K2 Promotions, Usyk himself are all in business. Nothing stops this fight.
- “In 99%, people like Usyk fail.” Fury threw on the fan
When you hear Tyson Fury say in an interview that he really wants to fight Usyk, but sometimes those fights don’t happen. If this fight does not take place, then he says that he will fight Joe Joyce. It kind of makes people understand that the fight may not take place. Does it bother you?
– This does not bother me at all, because I completely agree with Tyson. I’ve been in boxing for almost 18 years now and often some big fights don’t happen. Like a rematch between Tyson Fury and Wladimir Klitschko. It was signed, the date was almost set, but Tyson was gone. So I agree with him. This fight will always be at risk of not taking place.
“At the same time, we see how the sanctioning organizations of the WBA and IBF, whose titles Usyk holds, have appointed their mandatory challengers. Is there an agreement between these organizations to allow the fight for the title of absolute champion to take place first?
– Usually, when we talk about the absolute championship, it goes above all the mandatory defenses and belts. This principle has been adopted by all organizations to encourage fighters to hold unification fights and come to an absolute championship. When we have an absolute champion, it means that there is only one best in this category. I can’t guarantee that this is 100% agreed, but all the sanctioning bodies are ready to give permission. So we have to officially accept the fight, we have to officially make a statement, make payments, do paperwork and so on. But we have never encountered a refusal from their side.
– While negotiations are underway about the duel, how is Usyk set up, how is he at the current moment of negotiations?
He’s on his way to training camp. He’s not particularly worried. When people ask him about negotiations, he always says: “Look, I have managers, a promoter. They do their job. I do my job. We are on top now because all the participants are doing their job right. So I will leave it them and I better focus on what I need. So training camp is what needs to be done in the next 10 weeks. I work hard, I’m focused, I’m motivated, I’m leaving Ukraine.” That’s what he said three or four days ago.