Oleksandr Usyk has hit out at Tyson Fury this week, claiming the WBC heavyweight world champion is a completely different person when the cameras are no longer rolling.
Speaking on his own official YouTube channel, Usyk joked that Fury was Luke when the cameras are off, then reverts to the brash Tyson fans have become accustomed to once they start filming again.
“I put a wall between us and never take it to heart. It’s all just words. When the cameras are off, he’s a different person.”
It’s his way of defending, it’s all about emotions.
When the cameras are on, he’s Tyson, but when they’re off, he’s Luke Fury.”
On Wikipedia Luke is Tyson’s middle name, but many in the boxing world say that was his original first name.
It is perhaps unsurprising to hear Usyk pick up on Fury’s increasingly contradictory nature, as even British fans have began to clock on to ‘The Gypsy King’s flip flopping in recent months.
The two came face to face in London last weekend as Usyk was ringside for Fury’s one-sided victory over Derek Chisora, with referee Victor Loughlin waving the contest off in the tenth round.
The Ukrainian took to the ring apron for an intense face off with Fury, who bellowed obscenities the way of Usyk who seemed typically unperturbed by the situation.
Fans will be hopeful a deal for an undisputed clash in spring of next year is finalised as soon as possible. Talks between the two teams are said to be progressing well, and a lucrative site fee from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has reportedly been offered.
If a fight between Usyk and Fury does end up taking place early next year, it will be the first undisputed heavyweight title fight since Lennox Lewis vs Evander Holyfield almost two decades ago.