The member of Oleksandr Usyk’s entourage who was headbutted by John Fury has now discussed the shocking incident.
Yesterday was the first day that both teams were together in the city of Riyadh ahead of this weekend’s hugely anticipated undisputed clash between Usyk and Tyson Fury, which will decide the first-ever four belt king in the banner division.
After a heated coming together, Fury’s father decided to take matters into his own hands after claiming that Stanislav Stepchuk, who was wearing Usyk’s team tracksuit, entered his space and disrespected his son, Tyson.
As such, he headbutted the young man but was left bleeding from his forehead in the lobby of the Riyadh Hilton Hotel in Saudi Arabia. Footage quickly circulated and showed that both men were restrained by security to prevent further confrontation.
Stepchuk has now spoken to Boxing News about the altercation but rather played it down.
“That’s not a lot of conflict. We just shouted the name of Usyk and John Fury was mad about it and did what he did. We didn’t offend him. He’s nervous, he’s not stable in emotion, we think he’s nervous, this is his weakness, we think.”
He was asked if hatred had now grown between the two teams.
“Yes, we think a little bit. If this happens again, I will be ready to defend myself.”
Finally, sporting a small bruise above his left eye, he had a message for Fury Snr.
“We would like to respect each other and respect everybody.”
For his part, ‘Big John’ claimed he was sat minding his own business.
“All I could hear was, “Usyk, Usyk, Usyk. Coming out with all that rubbish. He’s in my face, trying to be clever. Coming into my space, “Usyk, Usyk”, nobody’s bothering with them.
“I was only chanting my own son’s name. I’m going to stand up for my son. At the end of the day, my son is the best in the world and I want people to respect him and give him the credit that he deserves.”
Whether or not he is the best in the world will be decided live on DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office and TNT Sports Box Office this weekend with predictions flying in from all onlookers.
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