USYK TAKS IT FOR GRANTED
Ukrainian already looking past Bellew to Joshua clash
OLEKSANDR USYK is not a man of many words – and he needed only one to make it clear who he wants to fight next year.
The undisputed cruiserweight king takes on Tony Bellew this weekend in Manchester.
But he has plans to move up to heavyweight in the next 12 months, having already conquered his current division.
And, when asked if he wants to face WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua next year, the answer was simple.
“Tak,” said the Ukrainian in his native language, which, of course, means “yes” – as if there was any doubt.
How will it go was the next question and the answer was again simple. “Great”. Presumably he meant for him.
“Nobody has promised me the fight, but it is going to happen,” he added.
First he must beat Bellew who, he admits, is his toughest fight to date, which is some compliment for the Liverpool fighter.
Usyk, 31, is one of the best boxers on the planet, with Olympic, world and European gold to his name as an amateur.
It took him only 15 professional fights to collect all four major belts – the WBO, WBA, IBF and WBA – since he changed codes.
That has led to Bellew heaping praise on his foe for tomorrow night, which, for anyone who knows the Liverpool man, is also rare. But Usyk is not falling into a false sense of security by being putting on a pedestal by Bellew.
In fact, he is happy to hit back at Bellew’s warning that he will “learn how to lose” at Manchester Arena tomorrow night.
“I don’t look in his eyes, I look between his eyes,” said Usyk.
“What do I see? I see what a sniper sees when he looks through the scope. I see the target to where I have to put my bullet.”