Oleksandr Usyk stepped to Tyson Fury – and Joe Joyce – recently in front of 60,000 British fans.
The Ukrainian remained steely-eyed as the division’s other champion, Fury, shouted insults in his face. So unfazed was Usyk that he broke the stare to take a phone call – a moment that fans enjoyed on social media.
In a recent interview on his YouTube channel, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion revealed who was calling.
“Yes it was about my car alarm. When the connection is lost the security service of a company where my car’s insured rings me. So they rang. I answered them.”
Usyk went on to talk more about the face off, believing that Fury was looking for support from his countryman, Joyce.
“I realised Fury was looking for some support around him. He shouted at [Alex] Krassyuk, then at me. And then when Joyce appeared Fury seemed to feel a shoulder of his fellow to rely on. He thought they could beat me together, I suppose.
“I talk to them, my car started, and I was ready to go to the hotel.”
“We already had face-to-face, we talked, we did everything we had to do. I got hungry, cold and tired, so it was time to leave.”
Now that the small matter of a stadium face off is done, Usyk seems ready to fight. The negotiations are reportedly progressing without many obstacles – something that’s quite rare in the heavyweight division.
With both men saying that they will be ready for February or March, 2023, and the Saudi Arabia a front runner for the location, it seems all that’s left is to sign the dotted line.
One of the promoters involved, Bob Arum of Top Rank, has even suggested an official announcement may be made before Christmas.