Undisputed heavyweight champion Usyk fights Tyson Fury for a second time this weekend in Saudi Arabia. A genuine super fight.
It wasn’t long ago that Tyson Fury dethroned his fellow Ukrainian countryman Klitschko in Germany to become the lineal heavyweight champion at the time.
Speaking to IFL TV Oleksandr Usyk (sometimes spelled Alexander Usyk in English-speaking countries) said of Klitschko and more ahead of fight night this Saturday:
“Interviewer: You’re approaching this fight differently than the first time. How is it different for you?
Alexander: I don’t know… I’m not sure how different it is. It’s the 21st of December. A little bit like this, yes—yes, like this. Perfect. I don’t know, but you’re not sure either.
Interviewer: This is your second time around. How have you mentally pictured this fight?
Alexander: Honestly, I haven’t pictured anything specific. I just prepare. I don’t think about winning; I just win.
Interviewer: You spent 12 rounds with Tyson Fury last time. What did you learn about him in that fight?
Alexander: I learned a lot, but I’m not going to talk about it now because maybe Tyson is watching this interview.
Interviewer: What has your coach said to you about this fight?
Alexander: My coach has spoken to me a lot about my preparation and what I’ll do on December 21st.
Interviewer: Do you believe you can stop Tyson Fury this time around?
Alexander: I believe, yes. I believe.
Interviewer: What are your thoughts on Vladimir Klitschko potentially coming back and un-retiring?
Alexander: I don’t think about Vladimir right now. I don’t watch TV, and I don’t pay attention to the news. I only see things on social media like Instagram. But my focus is just on boxing. When I’m in camp, I speak with my wife, my team, my family, and I read books and study English. I don’t watch the news because it’s not interesting to me.
Interviewer: They say Vladimir might come back. He was asked in Germany, in Hamburg, if he’s considering returning. I heard you even ran into him in an elevator—what happened?
Alexander: Yes, I ran into Vladimir. He said not this year—maybe next year. I don’t know. Maybe when I get back to the hotel, I’ll call Vladimir and say, “Hey, are you coming back?” But who knows. Maybe later I’ll tell you if it’s true or not.
Interviewer: Have you spoken to Vasiliy Lomachenko? Is he planning to come back?
Alexander: I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe against Tank (Gervonta Davis). I’m not sure.
Interviewer: Tyson Fury—last time you defeated him. Do you think there’s more pressure on you this time?
Alexander: No, no, I don’t feel pressure. I don’t feel it at all. For me, it’s just boxing. I feel good.
Interviewer: Are you expecting anything different from Tyson Fury in this fight?
Alexander: I don’t know. I’m ready for everything. If Tyson is different, then I’ll be different too because we know each other now.
Interviewer: Over 12 rounds, you get to know your opponent pretty well. Do you expect Tyson to bring anything new to the table?
Alexander: I don’t know. I don’t think about Tyson Fury. I just focus on getting back to my preparation.
Interviewer: Thank you so much.”
Quality focus from Usyk there, no question about it.
Usyk has tunnel vision.
On Klitschko’s possible return to boxing next year, interesting, to say the least.
The heavyweight division is certainly buzzing at the minute if he wants a piece of it.
Interesting also above on Lomachenko, what a fight it would be against ‘Tank’ Davis in 2025 if they can put it together at some point.
Chess boxing and punching power combined in a fight boxing fans would flock to.
