“Usyk Maintains Respect for Fury Despite Fight Postponement”
Oleksandr Usyk has maintained his admiration for Tyson Fury despite the setback of their undisputed championship fight being postponed. Originally set for February 17th in Riyadh, the bout was delayed due to Fury sustaining an injury during training. The Gypsy King incurred a significant cut above his right eye during sparring, necessitating a rescheduling of…
Oleksandr Usyk has maintained his admiration for Tyson Fury despite the setback of their undisputed championship fight being postponed. Originally set for February 17th in Riyadh, the bout was delayed due to Fury sustaining an injury during training.
The Gypsy King incurred a significant cut above his right eye during sparring, necessitating a rescheduling of the match to May 18th. Despite this disappointment, Usyk expressed increased affection for Fury, citing their shared journey in the boxing world.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Usyk emphasized his respect for Fury, stating, “Of course, more. Why? Because it’s the man who has my fourth belt. It’s the man who helped me become famous a lot. Because we, all people, must love friends, [people who are] not friends, acquaintances, all people. It’s great when you are polite, not dirty.”
The much-anticipated clash between Fury and Usyk, poised to determine the first undisputed heavyweight champion in over two decades, faced postponement after Fury’s sparring session incident.
Reflecting on the cancellation, Usyk remained composed, expressing no internal frustration. He focused on the extensive training he had undertaken, acknowledging the effort invested and looking forward to future preparations. Usyk remarked, “I didn’t even have any irritation inside. No frustration. I just looked back at all the work I’ve done… Then I thought of how much more training I will do and how much good work I will do.”
Additionally, Usyk revealed the sacrifices made in his preparation for the bout, including missing the birth of his fourth child. Training in Spain, he prioritized his focus on the fight, foregoing significant family moments. Despite the personal sacrifices, Usyk remained steadfast in his dedication to his craft.
“I sacrificed all the dates we used to spend with my family,” Usyk admitted, detailing the missed occasions. “I was supposed to be somewhere around my wife, not in the room, but walking around waiting for her to give birth to my daughter.”
In the face of adversity and postponement, Usyk’s commitment to his boxing career and respect for his opponent, Tyson Fury, shines through, underscoring the integrity and determination of both fighters in their pursuit of greatness.