Unified IBF/WBO/WBA heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) gave an interview for the YouTube channel
Blockasset.
In a conversation with British bloggers, Oleksandr spoke about the current situation in Ukraine with the unprovoked military aggression of the Russian Federation, the parting words of the former heavyweight champion brothers Vitaliy and Vladimir Klitschko, the current state of the ex-champion in three categories of the Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs), the position cases with a rematch against former British champion Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) and the end of the career of British WBC champion Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs).
– Before turning to questions about your career, one cannot help but ask what is happening now in your homeland, in Ukraine. How is the situation now?
– Fighting continues. The enemy is coming. Our fighters are holding on. I can tell you a little more. I turned it off. I have a lot of my friends and my colleagues asked me not to read the news. What I need, I learn from my friends who stayed there.
– Alexander, given what is happening now, how difficult was it to return to training, and why did you return? What does it mean to you now?
– I returned to training because a large number of my relatives, my friends, my team and some people who remained in Ukraine asked me that I would better help my country if I start preparing for a rematch than I will be in the defense or just in Kyiv. We thought with the team and made such a decision that by such actions we will help the country and those people who need help more.
“That will be a problem.” Bob Arum on Fury, Usyk-Joshua rematch and Beterbiev-Smith fight
— Here, in the UK, we certainly saw the stories shared by Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. How many conversations took place between you, how often did you talk, what parting words did they give you?
– I spoke personally with Vitaly Vladimirovich. They supported me in making this decision. While I was there, I talked to him. He found out how things were, how the situation was, where I was and all that. Just wondering where I am, if I’m safe or not. But they both supported my decision.
— We know that you are close friends with Vasily Lomachenko. Did you have any conversation, is everything okay with him, what is happening to him now?
– Everything is good. We are talking. We are in touch with him: we correspond, we call each other. He is currently at home. Everything is safe and sound, thank God.
– Alexander, I look at you and it seems to me that you are in a suitable form for battle. It turns out we already have a certain date, right?
“Now we are reviewing the contract, whether everything is fine there, whether everything is fine there. I think that in the near future there will be an announcement and signing of the contract.
– Judging by the current situation, many fans had a feeling that the fight would move somewhere in the Middle East, but now, if we understand correctly, the fight will take place in Britain this summer, right?
– I do not know yet. I don’t want to confuse the fans and people. As soon as we study the contract… I’m saying that people who want to know will get information.
– Is there a chance now that you will be more distracted by what is happening at home, or what is happening at home will be an additional motivation for you, will give you even more energy that you will throw out during the fight?
“Maybe people will listen to what I’m about to say and think that I’m some kind of sick person or something. But specifically in me there is a function, and many people who know me, they emphasize that there really is such a thing. They call me “Mr. Frost”. That is, in narrow circles, in my team, some people call me “Mr. Frost.” I can disconnect from certain things that prevent me from reaching my goals. But what is happening now at my home will motivate me very much in the gym and every day in my training, getting up early in the morning after prayer, I am motivated by the fact that I have to help my people, my country to rejoice.
It looks like Tyson Fury retired last week. Do you believe in it?
— No, I don’t believe in it.
Fury will beat everyone – both Usyk and Joshua. So thinks “pound” Stevenson
– Alexander, in the first fight you were great and it seemed that this victory was very easy for you. Did you expect more?
– For every new thing I do, I will add a little bit. Why does it seem so easy from the outside and everything else? Because what I do, I do with great love. I love boxing. I love getting into the ring and boxing. For me, it’s still a sport. For me it remains a sport game. For me, this is overcoming some difficulties. I enjoy it.
– Thank you very much for joining. We wish you happiness and peace in your land. Thank you very much for your time.
– Thanks. Bye guys.
