Unified heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk spoke about the fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou and stated that while the WBC champ is afraid of him, the only one that fight represents a great opportunity for is the Cameroonian.
Oleksandr Usyk believes the fight is a great opportunity for Ngannou but not for Fury
Fury and Usyk negotiated for weeks to achieve the dream fight for the heavyweight title unification, but the lack of an agreement on the economics for the possible rematch frustrated all plans.
The Ukrainian WBA, WBO and IBF champion will have a mandatory fight with Daniel Dubois in August, while Fury will be facing Ngannou in October, which will be an exhibition fight under boxing rules, without Fury’s WBC belt at stake.
Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, “The Cat” stated that while the fight serves a huge opportunity for the former UFC heavyweight champ, he doesn’t believe it serves the same purpose for the Briton.
“For Francis Ngannou, this is a great opportunity, but for Tyson Fury, it’s definitely not,” said Usyk.
The last time Fury fought was on December 3rd when he defeated Derek Chisora to defend his WBC title. Although he was in conversations regarding the fight with Usyk, as well as Andy Ruiz and even with Anthony Joshua, “The Gypsy King” picking Ngannou, who has never boxed professionally, raised a lot of criticism, something which Usyk also pointed out.
“Doesn’t it seem strange that instead of choosing a top-10 guy, he is choosing someone who has never boxed before?” Usyk went on. “Yes, of course, greedy belly is afraid of me.”
While being somewhat frustrated that he didn’t make the fight with Fury, Usyk is still willing to fight him, but now all he has to think about is his fight with Dubois on August 26th in Poland.
“Let’s make it happen. I am ready,” Usyk concluded.“After I fight Dubois I am ready to go, [but] my main focus now is August 26.”
