Oleksandr Usyk has decided to own the nickname that Tyson Fury has given him as negotiations for their undisputed heavyweight fight continue to plod on.
The fight – now apparently billed Belly versus The Rabbit – was once promised to fans for February or early March at the latest, however recent developments – or lack thereof – have pushed it much closer to April.
With no date announced and the venue still dependant on a big money offer from Saudi Arabia, it seems little has been done since both parties made their interest known for the four-belt clash to be next.
What has started, though, is a back and forth between the competitors. There aren’t many more entertaining fighters than Usyk and Fury, and yet they offer completely different styles of showmanship.
Fury is more the WWE-esque name caller and trash talker, whereas Usyk delivers it all in quite a polite, often philosophical manner.
His latest is a response to Fury calling him a ‘rabbit’ – an acceptance of the nickname whilst he wields a big chopper.
The rabbit is coming for you.Belly!@Tyson_Fury pic.twitter.com/2fcymEaLIX
— Alexander Usyk (@usykaa) January 19, 2023
The axe action is likely strength training for the Ukrainian, who has been known to prepare in some bizarre and creative ways ahead of his fights.
Whatever he does, it’s worked so far. Usyk is now unified champion in the top division after becoming undisputed in the cruiserweight ranks. A fight with Fury would be his 21st, and an opportunity to grace the history books alongside Evander Holyfield who managed a similar feat.
Fury, though, will still enter the ring as the favourite. A self-proclaimed behemoth, he agrees with the many industry predictions that point to his size and strength as the deciding factor.