Oleksandr Usyk: “I started preparing for Joshua and Fury 10–11 years ago”

Unified WBA, WBC, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk revealed that he began preparing for fights with former British world champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury long before those bouts became a reality.

According to the Ukrainian, even at the very beginning of his journey he clearly envisioned future showdowns with Joshua and Fury, despite skepticism and doubt from many within the boxing community.

“I started preparing for a fight with Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury 10–11 years ago. I was telling a lot of people that I would box Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

On one Ukrainian TV channel the Klitschko brothers were saying: ‘Listen, put the belts down and take a rest.’ And I said: ‘But maybe I will take your belts.’ ‘Oh no, no, no. Maybe you will box some other guy.’ Yeah. But I said: ‘Listen, in four, maybe three years I will box Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.’

Many people were saying: ‘No, no. Ha-ha, it’s impossible.’ I would answer: ‘Ha-ha-ha? Why?’ ‘No, it’s impossible. You won’t do it.’ ‘You’ll see. I will do it.’

I do it because I believe. Every day I pray to God. I know that when I work hard, God gives me a chance,” Usyk said.