Oleksandr Usyk has provided more thoughts on Tyson Fury ahead of their expected 2023 undisputed clash.
The two heavyweight champions are said to be deep into negotiations with an announcement imminent. The fight will the division have just one champion at the top of the pile for the first time since Lennox Lewis dominated two decades ago.
Whilst Fury continues to dismiss the Ukrainian’s skills and chances against him, repeatedly saying he will be too small to compete, Usyk is approaching the bout with a more level head. He admitted recently that ‘The Gypsy King’ would be difficult to beat, as per TalkSPORT‘s Michael Benson.
“Everyone says he’s taller, he has the belt, he has no defeats. So obviously he’s difficult. He’s much smarter than he looks and behaves.”
The back handed compliment comes after the fighters had the chance to measure each other up. Usyk stepped onto the ring following Fury’s one-sided victory over Derek Chisora.
He squared up to the WBC champion in a pre-negotiated face off, and wasn’t fazed by the prior threats.
“We negotiated it. If he agreed to fight, I would step onto the ring. A lot of things were said since then, like he would slap me in my face. But apparently he changed his mind after having his buttocks burned.”
Finally, the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO Champion send Fury a warning directly – referring to him as both his reported middle name and ‘borracho’, meaning drunk in Usyk’s native tongue.
“Luke, I’m coming for you. I’ve been coming for him for a long time… I wish him a lot of health, happiness, love, patience and warm wind. Borracho [Drunk], I’m coming for you.”
Despite some sanctioning bodies getting itchy feet and calling mandatory challengers, it’s believed that there aren’t many obstacles in the way of making the fight.
The final agreements to be made are date and location, with late February of the first week of March most likely, and the Middle East being the front runner in terms of host.