Oleksandr Usyk is giving it his all in his verbal sparring with Tyson Fury ahead of their potential fight next year.
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, previously said the fight is “almost done,” and Saudi Arabia is the most likely location. Fury and Usyk appear to be headed for a collision.
Usyk confronting Fury in the ring following his most recent victory over Derek Chisora was the most recent development in this fight.
As soon as they were face to face, Fury started yelling insults and shouting: “Usyk you’re next you little b. You are next. Me and you next. You’re next. Rabbit! P! 15st little midget bodybuilder. Well I ain’t a bodybuilder, I’m going to write you off.
“I already done one Ukrainian in [Wladimir] Klitschko didn’t I? And I’ll do you as well, gappy teeth.
“You ugly little man. Lets get it on b*. You may laugh now but I’ll end this little sucker. I’ll end you. You little sucker. What are you gonna do? You’re gonna do f all you little sausage.”
Usyk has not been outspoken in his criticism of Fury, but the Ukrainian recently engaged in some verbal sparring and referred to “The Gypsy King” as a “borracho,” which is Spanish for “drunk.”
“I’ve been balanced and ready to hear all the stupid things he likes to say,” Usyk explained.
“I put a wall between us, never take it to heart… When cameras are off he’s a different person. When they’re on he’s Tyson Fury, when off he’s Luke Fury…
“Luke, I’m coming for you. I’ve been coming for him for a long time… I wish him a lot of health, happiness, love, patience and warm wind. Borracho, I’m coming for you.”
Usyk also alluded to their in-ring exchange, noting that Fury had previously declared he would slap Usyk if they crossed paths on fight night, but he didn’t do so when they actually did.
“We negotiated it. If he agreed to fight, I would step onto the ring,” Usyk said. “A lot of things were said since then, like he would slap me in my face, but apparently he changed his mind after having his buttocks burned.”
With that being said, Usyk was also willing to acknowledge the qualities that Fury can bring to a fight and the challenge he will pose if they clash.
“Everyone says he’s taller, he has the belt, he has no defeats,” Usyk said. “So, obviously he’s difficult. He’s much smarter than he looks and behaves.”