He knows them both inside and outside the boxing ring. Oleksandr Usyk, the newly crowned unified world champion, has shared his thoughts on his two former opponents, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. The 37-year-old used an interesting metaphor for his comparison.
On the YouTube channel “Three Knockdown Rule,” heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk explained the differences between his ex-opponents: “Anthony Joshua has class in boxing. ‘Greedy Belly,’ my friend Tyson Fury. He is like sparkling water when you open it: without shaking, it’s good. When you shake it, it’s bad. Sparkling water is Tyson Fury and still water is Anthony Joshua. Tyson’s arms are like two meters, like a rope.”
Usyk Awaits IBF Decision
Usyk had previously fought AJ twice in London, winning both bouts by unanimous decision.
In mid-May, he also defeated Tyson Fury in a dramatic comeback, stripping the “Gypsy King” of his WBC title. Usyk now holds all four belts from the major boxing organizations: WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBF.
However, he might soon lose the IBF belt as he won’t be fighting the mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.
“We are waiting for a decision,” Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas told “Boxing Scene.” “I think it’s more important for Tyson Fury now. Oleksandr is a two-time unified champion, and if the next fight is only for three belts, I don’t think it would be fair for either of the guys, not for Tyson or Oleksandr.”
Shortly before Christmas, the rematch between Fury and Usyk is set to take place.
Toughest Punch? Not from Fury!
In his interview, the Ukrainian also made a surprising statement, claiming that Fury was not the hardest puncher he has faced in his career.
“I would say the toughest fight, yes, but I think the hardest punch, no,” Usyk revealed. “Derek Chisora, a very tough guy. With Derek, I don’t remember which hand it was, the left or the right, but I blocked it and it felt like a baseball bat. It was very dangerous.”
