Oleksandr Usyk thinks he's already lost one fight ahead of Tyson Fury showdown
Boxing news: Oleksandr Usyk says he can't rival Tyson Fury for press conference shenanigans
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Oleksandr Usyk thinks he's already lost to Tyson Fury when it comes to press conference shenanigans.
Yet he's convinced he can beat the Briton when the duo finally step into the ring on February 17.
Usyk and Fury are both unbeaten ahead of that bout, with the pair winning 21 and 34 career fights respectively.
Their fight in the Middle East has the makings of a classic, especially with so much on the line.
Boxing news: Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will finally face each other in the ring on February 17
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It is the first heavyweight match since the days of Lennox Lewis and Fury, at last week's press conference, provided the fireworks.
The Gypsy King repeatedly insulted his upcoming opponent, dubbing him 'ugly' and 'a p***y'.
And Usyk has now conceded he can't match Fury for theatrics, insisting it's pointless to even try.
“Listen, I think, Tyson, he’s number one for press conferences," the 35-year-old told Boxing King Media when asked about the recent event.
"A lot of speak. I can’t over-talk him, I try, but for me I think it’s not possible.
"Tyson is [a] first man who blah blah blah blah blah.
"It’s good. I respect Tyson, Tyson’s team, yeah. That’s the way I live.”
Usyk vowed to always stand his ground when confronted, however, and insists he 'won't stay relaxed' whenever it happens.
“But Tyson Fury touch[ed] me," he continued.
"I was like hey, listen I’m ready to fight, always, every night, every time.
"But a press conference, it’s like a show, but if you want to push me, I not stay relaxed.
"Don’t touch me please. We speak in the ring.”
Fury is a colourful character, one that often exudes confidence whether it's in the ring or outside of it.
But he recently revealed he had been depressed for two weeks after his controversial win over Francis Ngannou at the end of last month.
“Every fight I have two weeks post-fight depression, and I’m just about getting over that now," he told Boxing Social.
"Just about getting back to reality … I know it’s gonna go after about two weeks. I’m used to it.
"The highs and lows of it all. With every high there’s an even bigger low.”
He added: "Who called for this fight? Who called for Usyk versus Fury? Who called for the undisputed? Who wants this fight?
"And now the fans are getting it, I don’t want to hear any complaints. No complaining.
"When this fight wasn’t happening it seemed that everybody was happier than when it got signed.
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"Now I don’t know why that is, but now you’ve got what you want, enjoy it.
“‘It won’t happen, I was scared, I was running away’ – what’s happening now then? I’m about to make another hundred million.”