Usyk: Size doesn’t matter, if it did then king of animals would be elephant

Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk (21-0) is very happy that he will have the opportunity to become undisputed champion in heavyweight division.

Usyk, the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO champion, will fight the WBC and lineal champion Tyson Fury (34-0-1) on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Usyk, who was undisputed in cruiserweight division, is 15 centimeters shorter then Fury who is 206 centimeters tall.

But Usyk says size doesn’t matter.

“Size doesn’t matter,” the Ukrainian told TNT Sports. “If it did then the king of animals would be the elephant. I am a heavyweight.”

Both Usyk and Fury are bidding to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

“For me it’s very important because I prepare for this fight for 22 years,” said Usyk. “It’s important for me, for my family, for my country. It’s a big event for Ukraine. It’s a special fight. Four belts, two guys who don’t have a loss. It’s special. I can’t wait. For me it’s not business, it’s sport. It’s like breath for me. After it’s a win, there’s a cheque, a belt, but first it’s the boxing for me.”

Usyk has said that any mind games are a “waste of time” on him but he thinks Fury is a “good guy”.

Usyk was not happy with the behavior of Tyson Fury’s team. On Monday it came to a confrontation when father of Tyson Fury, John, gave a headbutt to a member of Usyk team. John Fury was seeing with blood in his head.

“It’s bad, a stupid situation. I don’t want to call John bad because I don’t know him or his mind. But he hit my friend and it’s just another reason for me to win [on Saturday night].”

Lineal champion Tyson Fury, who holds the WBC title, kept it short when he said: “It feels absolutely fantastic to be in the great kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2024. I’m feeling fantastic, can’t wait to put a good show on, all the big stars are here. I can’t wait for Saturday night.”