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Boxing – WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Titles – Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – September 25, 2021 Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
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Boxing – WBA, IBF & WBO Heavyweight Titles – Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain – September 25, 2021 Oleksandr Usyk celebrates winning his fight against Anthony Joshua Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge
Oleksandr Usyk retained his title as the unified champion of the heavyweight division, by defending his titles in a sensational showdown against Anthony Joshua. Moreover, the fight also saw him win the vacant The Ring heavyweight title to cement his position on the heavyweight throne. Usyk recently opened up about the prospect of fighting Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury.
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Oleksandr Usyk has now declared that, if a fight with Tyson Fury doesn't happen, he would also be interested in facing Deontay Wilder: "We'll see. I don't want to make empty statements. I could still box with Fury or with Wilder, but that's where my interest ends."
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 3, 2022
Usyk was in an interview with TalkSport. In conversation, he mentioned he wishes to fight Tyson Fury. However, Usyk also added that he is also open to fighting Wilder. He said, “We’ll see. I don’t want to make empty statements. I could still box with Fury or with Wilder, but that’s where my interest ends.”
It is worth noting that, with an impressive 32-0-1 record, Fury might be the best contender for the heavyweight throne. Meanwhile, Wilder also has an equally impressive record of 42-2-1. And, will also make a great contender for the title.
But, Usyk mentioned that he will be unable to fight in 2022, as he is recovering from old injuries. And, that the fight will have to take place further in the future.
It can also be said that the statement might have even cleared the path for Fury vs Wilder 4.
Tyson Fury calls out Oleksandr Usyk
Tyson Fury is on a quest for a new opponent after recently announcing that he is coming out of retirement. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk’s statement about ‘old injuries’ did not sit well with Fury.
Oleksandr Usyk: "Fighting Tyson Fury in December is impossible. First, I have old injuries. Second, I just don't want to box in December. I haven't left the gym for half a year, I want to be with my children, my family. Boxing can wait a little. Next year I think it will happen."
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 2, 2022
In fact, he took to social media to call out Usyk. He said, “Saying you got injuries, you ain’t got no injury. It was a sparring contest. Get out and fight in December, see if you can back it up middleweight. It doesn’t matter if it’s December, April, or August next year, the outcome will be the same.”
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Boxing – Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk Weigh-in – The O2, London, Britain – September 24, 2021 Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk during the weigh-in Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Additionally, he also mentioned that he is a 6 feet 7 inches ‘behemoth’ who can obliterate Usyk. It is worth noting that the formidable Fury towers over Usyk, who stands 6 feet 3 inches.
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What are your thoughts on Usyk fighting Wilder? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Edited by
Ajinkya Aswale