“Usyk’s punches are like slaps.” Joyce on Alexander and his fight with Fury

The holder of the title of “interim” WBO world heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) Briton Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs) gave
interview through its promotion company Queensberry Promotions.

The host asked the boxer his opinion about the upcoming fight for the title of absolute world champion between the unified champion from Ukraine Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs) and Joyce’s compatriot, WBC champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs). Also in the conversation, the “interim” champion described Usyk’s punches from memories of their fight in the WSB.

– Fury – Usyk, if it happens, what are your premonitions before this fight? Who do you think will win this fight?

– Of course, I want to see this fight. Fight for the title of absolute champion. I think they are both very skilled and it will be a tough test for both of them. But I’m giving Fury the edge. But I don’t know, will have to see. These are the first 20-30 seconds of the fight, you can really see a lot in them. For example, when I watched Fury vs Klitschko… I wanted to bet, but I didn’t have time.

Who would you like to bet on?

“I wanted to bet on Fury. It was necessary to register in the application or something like that. I didn’t investigate. And when the first seconds of the fight began, I looked into Fury’s eyes, and I’m like – where is my phone [смеётся]. I couldn’t register and just watched the fight go on.

So you knew in the first seconds of the fight that Fury would win the fight, or at least he would try to finish the job?

— Oh, yes, it will finish the job. I thought that the probability of his victory was high. Sometimes you just see it in the first seconds of a fight. Sometimes it only takes a minute, and sometimes it takes half a fight.

Tyson Fury: “Usyk, if you’re a man…”

So you think you can pretty quickly tell if Fury or Usyk wins once this fight starts?

– Maybe yes.

– Did you see the photo that Usyk posted on social networks? There, I think he finished swimming and turned to Fury, said that the middleweight was here.

– Oh, yes, I saw [улыбается].

— What do you think about it?

— That he is good at swimming.

— [смеются] To me, he looked…

– …losing weight, yes.

– Is this good or bad?

– It’s good. Obviously, he looked healthy and strong. He swims… He must have good cardio.

Fury turned to Usyk: “Hare to run, small sausage!”

– He looked smaller than in the fights with Joshua.

– Yes. I don’t know, maybe he’s aiming for speed because I guess he’s gained size to get stronger. But then, I don’t know, maybe the force wasn’t effective. Maybe he just wants to be faster.

– To be youreself.

– Yes.

— Like a cruiser.

“I remember when we fought, he had this stinging power. It wasn’t like [бьёт кулаком об ладонь, изображая тяжёлый удар]. Oh, I missed. It was like [изображает резкие не сильные удары об ладонь]. They were, I don’t know, stinging or something.

– Flashes were from his blows?

– Not exactly flashes, but I felt his blows. They were like flip flops, more stinging. Yes, fast and more stinging for that time. But I guess now he has increased his size and his punches are probably heavier.