Usyk looks to ‘The Greatest’ for inspiration

Riyadh: Oleksandr Usyk is taking inspiration from boxing great Muhammad Ali, with the Ukrainian paying tribute to ‘the Greatest’ as he faces Tyson Fury this weekend billed as the ‘Ring of Fire’,

The pair will clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Usyk’s World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation, International Boxing Federation and Ring Magazine titles, and Fury’s World Boxing Council title, will all be on the line.

The Ukrainian, who shares his birthday with the late boxing great, has previously called Ali his “favourite athlete” and is drawing motivation from ‘the Greatest’ as a date with Fury in Riyadh.

“When I think about Muhammad Ali, it’s not just boxing,” Usyk said, “It’s the path he took, his nature. He fought for his rights, his nearest and dearest.”

The 37-year-old last fought in August, knocking out British heavyweight Daniel Dubois in the ninth round in Wroclaw, Poland.

Before that, back-to-back wins over Anthony Joshua ensured he held the WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles, while Fury wrestled the WBC version from Deontay Wilder in 2020. When the dust clears and one of Fury or Usyk has their hands raised it shall be the first time since Lennox Lewis’ conquering of Evander Holyfield in 1999 that the recognised heavyweight titles have been unified.