Wladimir Klitschko backs Oleksandr Usyk to defeat Tyson Fury when they meet again on Saturday live. Sky Sports Box Office.
BOXING legend Klitschko has been linked with an unexpected return to the sport in pursuit of a world heavyweight title at the age of a record 48 years.
It was Fury who defeated the Ukrainian star in 2015 when he first became unified heavyweight champion.
A rematch the following year never materialized. But while Klitschko may consider fighting Fury for the world championship, he will not box with compatriot Usyk.
As Klitschko said Sky Sports: “Olexander Usyk will keep me in retirement.
“It’s not going to go well. I’m going to stay in retirement. It’s going to keep me in retirement.”
Klitschko has not fought since losing to Anthony Joshua in 2017. But despite being one of Ukraine’s most prominent defenders at international level, he insists he has remained in good shape.
“I remember Oleksandr called me at the end of March this year, on my birthday and said: ‘Champion, I wish you a happy birthday and I hope your dream of becoming the biggest champion in the world comes true.’”
“I told him: ‘Olexander, what are you talking about, your fight is coming, you are ready, keep me in retirement.’”
“So he promised: I’ll do it, I’ll keep it [the championship] But I wish you so.”
Klitschko believes Usyk will be able to retain his WBC, WBO and WBA world titles when he fights Fury this weekend.
“Olexander will repeat history,” Klitschko insisted. “It’s going to be déjà vu. So the repetition. That’s actually what happens. I was here in the first fight. It feels the same and it looks the same and it’s the same.”
“It’s all about strategy. It’s all about technique.”
Klitschko is a complete fan of Usyk and has a long association with his fellow Ukrainian.
“I remember when Oleksandr was winning Klitschko’s championship as a teenager, the amateur tournament he was competing in had my name on it and he became champion. He actually looked up to me. So now I look up to him. How life is amazing,” Klitschko said.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Oleksandr Usyk was accompanied by a live performance during his general training for his rematch with Tyson Fury, on December 21
He added: “We will keep in mind that this time he will also show that he is the worst man on the planet, Oleksandr Usyk.”
“Usyk is unbreakable!”
Usyk and Fury fight for the second time at the Riyadh Season event on Saturday at Kingdom Arena.
A split decision win over Fury in May resulted in Usyk becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, making him the undisputed two-weight reigning champion and the first heavyweight to hold that status since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
But Fury is determined to avenge his first professional defeat and beat Usyk. At Thursday’s press conference, they faced off for the first time in fight week and neither man allowed himself to blink, let alone turn away from the intense stare.
It continued for more than 11 minutes until they finally let themselves out.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Tyson Fury broke the ice after his confrontation with Oleksandr Usyk by joining a traditional Saudi dance.
“I’ve come the distance,” promoter Alex Krasiuk said. Sky Sports Then the face.
However, he doesn’t think the Usyk-Fury fight itself will do that. Usyk advises ending it early.
“I think it’s going to be over,” Krasiuk said. “I expect him [Fury] To be more well prepared, more prepared for this.
“So conditioning is not an issue in this fight. The stamina is there. Technically, well, Usyk is better but Tyson is very good. Size, of course, the advantage is on Tyson’s side but what gives you victory?”
Then Krasyuk pointed to his head and heart.
Please use Chrome browser for an easily accessible video player
Tyson Fury broke the ice after his confrontation with Oleksandr Usyk by joining a traditional Saudi dance.
He then added: “You can’t break Oleksandr Usyk. He will never walk away when it comes to fighting.
“For me it was like a full 12-rounder,” the promoter said, describing the stare-down at the press conference.
“Mentally, that’s something that helps you achieve victory. Mental toughness. Usyk has mental toughness. It doesn’t matter if he’s in bad shape, good shape, he finds the way to win. He invents the way to win.
“That’s why Tyson is nervous.”
The massive heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be broadcast on Saturday, December 21 on Sky Sports Box Office. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
https://e0.365dm.com/24/12/1600×900/skysports-wladimir-klitschko_6780936.jpg?20241219224137