Hell hath no Fury like an AJ scorned
Usyk winds up Joshua by saying Tyson is cooler and better ahead of big fight
OLEKSANDR USYK has goaded Anthony Joshua by claiming Tyson Fury is better and all the pressure will be on him on Saturday.
Usyk faces Joshua at the Tottenham Stadium in front of a sell-out 60,000 crowd and has tried to wind up the unified world heavyweight champ.
He rates Fury higher and says Joshua will be expected to win in front of his home fans against a “baldish guy from Ukraine”.
The unbeaten Usyk said: “Joshua has three titles, Fury one. In my opinion, Fury is the coolest. But that’s probably just temporary. I believe it will be more difficult for Joshua against me because he has to defend three titles.
“He’s also fighting against a baldish guy from Ukraine who has come to his home country looking for a big fight.”
Usyk is a former undisputed cruiserweight world champion and he and his fans are quietly confident of success.
The 34-year-old is a skilled southpaw and believes WBA Super, IBF and WBO champ Joshua will have struggled to get any sparring to replicate his distinct style.
Usyk said: “I do believe I will win and my compatriots and my followers believe that too. I will do everything to win but you should not shout about it at every corner.
“At this moment in my career this is my biggest fight. My opponent is an Olympic champion, he holds three versions of the world title, he’s a cool opponent.
“But I believe it has been extremely difficult for him to get any sparring or sparring partners to help him prepare for me. I believe I can win.
“I am not going to be nervous, look why would I do that? If I do it would not change anything. I will definitely not get stronger, I could become weaker.
“I will be calm and confident and I will probably read a book before or watch a film, I will speak to my loved ones or I may call my son. I am not going to do nerves at all. At 34, Usyk’s roll of honour includes Olympic gold, all four belts at cruiserweight, he is unbeaten as a professional in 18 fights and now he has eyes for Joshua’s three heavyweight crowns.
He is a super-skilled southpaw who will be hoping he can bridge the three-inch height and possibly two stone weight difference to take down the British star.
Born in Shypyntsi, but now a Kiev resident, he is a colourful character outside of the ring, known for some crazy hair styles, questionable dance moves and witty one liners even through the use of a translator.
But this is serious business on Saturday and the chance for him to follow in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield and David Haye in being a world cruiserweight champion who steps up to rule at heavyweight.
He added: “I watched and followed Holyfield for quite some time and I really appreciate and admire him moving from cruiserweight and him fighting big guys.
“Every one of us has our own page in history, I respect him and follow him with respect.”