Usyk: «Olympic Medal is Better Than the Undisputed Title»

WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight champion (over 90.7 kg) Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) spoke about the importance of his Olympic gold medal, what boxing means to him, and what he will do with the four belts if he defeats WBC titleholder Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs).

«My Olympic gold medal will always be better than the title of undisputed champion. Everyone who is into sports – any sport: boxing, judo, karate – they all dream of the Olympic Games.

I know athletes with three world championship medals but without Olympic gold – only bronze. I participated in two Olympics and got just one medal. It takes four years – my last opponent Clemente Russo spent 16 years in four Olympics but never got a gold medal.

The Olympic Games happen once every four years, but a world championship belt is easy to get – you can get it in 6 months or a year. But for some people, professional boxing is business. For me, it’s sport, but for many, it’s business: money, belts, fame. For me, it’s sport first.

I will take the titles home. I have four belts for my four children: two for my sons and two for my daughters – one for each. Both my sons came to the gym after one of my sessions because my family lives nearby. My sons come to the gym and give me strength and motivation.

Before I had my sons, when I was young, I knew that in the future they could help me with water, hand me my rubber mouthguard, and say: ‘Hey, come on, Dad, you can do it,’» said Usyk.

On May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will compete for the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion.