While the entire boxing world is waiting to organize a fight for the title of absolute world champion in the heavyweight division (over 90.7 kg), a television group from Britain came to Turkey to see the unified champion from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs), who there is a training camp going on right now.
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interview Alexander spoke about his, we hope, next opponent – British WBC champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs). Usyk, in comic style, best seen at the 31st minute of the video, depicted a meeting with Fury, and also compared Tyson to former British champion Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs).
Can we talk about the Tyson Fury fight?
– I just need this fight – that’s all. I think he needs it too. But this fight is needed, because for 30 years there was no heavyweight unification of all four belts. This fight is for me and for him.
– How do you see this fight going, because everyone is looking at arm span, height and all that? How do you see your fight against Fury?
– This is an ordinary fight – just like everyone else, just with a big man who has never lost, who has a WBC belt. You can squeeze out from this that this is some kind of special duel and all that. This is a regular boxing match for all belts. If a person is bigger than me, it does not mean that he is stronger. If his arms are longer than mine, this does not mean that it will help him.
I have been boxing for many years – from the age of 15, for many years I heard from many people, acquaintances or just from people whom I see for the first time, that I do not need to do this, that I do not need to box. I was told that I would not become an Olympic champion, I was told that I would not become a world champion, I was told that I did not need to go to heavyweight. But it was they who told me, it was said by those people who themselves cannot do anything. I say to myself that I pray and go. I don’t think I’ll make it or not. This, you know, like a samurai, he does not have any goal. He just has a way. I have a path. That is, from my birth to where the Lord will bring me. How many years I will live – only he knows. I don’t think about it. I just try, I don’t even try, I live like that. I try to live the right way. Do not interfere with other people and if I can help others.
“That’s practically all he did.” Usyk spoke about the role of his father in his life
What do you think of the insult when he calls you a rabbit? You call him a belly [смеётся].
He says that when Tony (Bellew) called me a tiger, I said I was a white rabbit. Tony Bellew said that, damn it, this is a beast, this is a powerful type. I say: “No, Tony, are you kidding me, I’m a white rabbit.”
— [смеётся] And then you called him a belly.
— [смеются] Tyson Fury is a belly.
— [смеётся]
– Big belly. [стучит по животу]
— [смеются] Do you think you will hit this belly?
– Yes. Certainly. Constantly.
— [смеётся] Do you train in a different way for this fight or the same way you always do?
– It seems to me that the strategy for the fight will change. And the work that I do, I will also do a lot of it – this is swimming, running, boxing. There will be some new series, because this is a slightly different guy. This is a big, this is a tall guy, that is, some approach of series or boxing will change. And so, the work will not become less, it will become even more.
“This is a crazy person, Russia.” Usyk – about the war in Ukraine
– More weight? Will you be harder for this fight?
— Of course, I will gain the weight that I need to do my job.
Do you think Fury will be more difficult for you than Anthony Joshua?
– Certainly. There is a different style.
Is Fury’s psychology stronger than Joshua’s?
Yes, Fury is more brazen.
– Boring?
— [переходит на английский] To me – no. Maybe for people, yes, but for me, no.
“He doesn’t bother you?”
– No.
– No problem.
“Maybe he has a problem, but for me, no.
– I was listening to a podcast and there was a coach who said that your training program was relentless. Can you explain to us how hard you’ve been training and what your body has been through?
— [переходит на украинский] First practice at 5 am. It’s more cardio. Day 12 is the second workout. If it is a pool, I swim at least 2 km in the pool. The main workout is 6pm. Monday, Wednesday, Friday are sparring. On Saturday, you saw today – it’s a 10 km, 15 km or 20 km cross. And Sunday is my day, where I devote myself to prayer and going to church. I read books, study English or write some of my thoughts in my diary, write poetry.
What kind of poetry do you write? Do you have one that you can tell us?
– Fine [читает стих о казаке с телефона].
When I watch you on television, I see your eyes. They look intimidating.
— [Усик показывает свой взгляд с широко открытыми глазами]
— [смеётся] [матерится]
I’m not afraid of Tyson Fury. [пересказывает в комическом стиле эпизод встречи с Фьюри после его победы над Чисорой]
— [смеётся]
– Was he normal outside the frame?
– Yes.
— Alexander, thank you very much [жмёт руку]. You are stunning.