Oleksandr Usyk has hinted he won't retire from boxing, even if he beats Tyson Fury in Riyadh on Saturday night.
After months of delays and twists, the world will finally see the two fighters battle in the ring, with excitement building.
Usyk is confident he will win, with the Ukrainian undefeated from all 21 of his professional career fights so far.
He will be facing a Fury with a point to prove, however, with the Gypsy King previously struggling during his narrow win over Francis Ngannou back in October.
Boxing: Oleksandr Usyk has suggested he won't quit the sport even if he beats Tyson Fury on Saturday night
Usyk, at the age of 37, is approaching the twilight years of his career.
But the veteran has suggested that, if he beats Fury as he expects, he'll drop back down to cruiserweight.
“When I think about Muhammad Ali, it’s not just boxing,” Usyk said.
“It’s the path he took, his nature. He fought for his rights, his nearest and dearest.
"This is an incredible feeling, having the opportunity to be here now and do what God allows me to do.
“All the historic champions; all these boxers have done a lot for boxing. Rocky Marciano was never defeated, he died undefeated. Maybe I will go back to cruiserweight and win."
But Fury can't be underestimated, with the Briton cutting a far leaner figure than he did during his showdown with Ngannou last October.
And the 35-year-old's promoter, Frank Warren, is expecting Fury to produce a masterclass in Saudi over the weekend.
“It’s the best shape I’ve seen him in," he told talkSPORT.
“I know mentally, which is the most important thing, he’s really up for this fight.
“Usyk, he’s beaten every Brit he’s been in with. He beat Tony Bellew, he stopped him, knocked him over. He beat AJ twice. So, he’s used to getting in there with big guys.
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“AJ was a much bigger guy, but I just think Tyson is a totally different type of boxer.
"He can adapt and he is a really, extremely good ring craftsman. I see him stopping Usyk, that’s how I see it working out.
“One thing about Usyk is he doesn’t like shots to the body. That’s a fact.
“And he’s had a little bit of a moan about that to the referee and he’s always complaining to the referee.
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“I think it will be like the second fight he had with Deontay Wilder where Tyson got Deontay Wilder’s number and just absolutely took him apart.
“I can see him doing the same thing here.”
