Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk laughed off claims the Ukrainian was a “crybaby” and hopes Tyson Fury can avoid another injury-related retirement ahead of the pair’s historic undisputed heavyweight world title showdown.
Usyk and Fury will fight for all the belts live in Saudi Arabia on May 18th Sky Sports box officein a fight that will crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
The pair’s first fight, scheduled for February, was postponed after Fury suffered a cut while sparring.
Krassyuk says Usyk is in “perfect shape” after the third straight training camp, but his only concern is Fury’s status ahead of the game.
“I really hope that this time Tyson wears his helmet and his protective gear and doesn’t hurt his eyebrow or whatever he might hurt, and that the fight on May 18th goes this time like it did in December and then again “February should have passed,” said Krasyuk Sky Sports.
“It’s the fight of my life. The whole world is waiting for it.”
“Let’s pray for Tyson and expect the guy to enter the ring.”
Usyk was recently labeled a “crybaby” by Fury’s promoter Frank Warren, who reiterated his opposition to the low blow to Daniel Dubois during the British heavyweight’s stoppage loss to the world champion last August.
Both Warren and Fury have cited body shots as a potential weakness for Usyk.
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Promoter Frank Warren says Oleksandr Usyk is a “crybaby” and believes body shots are the Ukrainian’s Achilles heel in his fight against Tyson Fury.
“If a man is hit in the area below the Marine, he usually suffers,” Krasyuk added. “That’s what happened in the Dubois fight… and it’s normal not just for Usyk but for any man to suffer from low blows. That is why these punches are illegal and prohibited in boxing and are strictly monitored by the referee.”
“How can you call Usyk a crybaby? The man won his title in Poland and never defended it in his home country.”
“He always went into his opponents’ backyard and destroyed his opponents.”
Both men arrive undefeated as professionals. Usyk’s victory over Dubois follows two straight wins over Anthony Joshua and moves him to 21-0, while Fury is coming off a disappointing performance at 34-0-1 and looks to respond with his victory over former UFC star Francis Ngannou.
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A look back at the best of Tyson Fury’s memorable press conference ahead of his big undisputed heavyweight clash with Oleksandr Usyk on May 18, live on Sky Sports Box Office.
“Now him [Usyk] has been after Tyson Fury for several years and Fury has withdrawn four times in a row – including two dates within the last six months,” Krassyuk continued.
“No, he’s not a crybaby. He is the big man in boxing and he waits patiently to get into the ring. It will be a great celebration for him.”
A victory for Usyk would cap a stunning rise from cruiserweight dominance to heavyweight supremacy, where he has proudly represented his war-torn country. Krassyuk believes his threat comes from both his fists and his mindset.
“I can tell you about Usyk’s secret weapon, the only problem is that it’s not a secret,” he said.
“His weapon is his mind, his heart, his experience and his boxing skills. And the main thing about him that differs from Tyson Fury is his discipline. That’s what makes him great and it’s his strongest weapon.”
Follow the undisputed fight for the world heavyweight title between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk live Sky Sports box office on May 18th.
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