Usyk retains it quick and candy forward of D-day for Dubois
leksandr Usyk stored it quick and candy throughout Thursday’s press convention forward of this weekend’s world heavyweight title conflict with British underdog Daniel Dubois.
Usyk will tackle necessary challenger Dubois on the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw on Saturday night time along with his WBA, IBF and WBO belts on the road.
A crowd of as much as 43,000 will be capable to attend and assist for Usyk shall be robust given quite a lot of Ukraine natives now reside in Poland since Russia’s invasion of their nation final 12 months.
Ukrainian hero Usyk has embraced the function of residence favorite throughout this combat week however took the weird step on Wednesday of spending a few of his open exercise by enthusiastically dancing, which delighted his ringside followers.
The 36-year-old continued that eccentricity on Thursday by answering just one query throughout a brief press convention, the place his opponent Dubois was largely a bystander till the duo took half in a drama-free face-off.
Usyk began: “Hi everybody, what’s up? I am grateful for my team, my family, my wife, I love you Katerina, my country and Ukrainian soldiers. Thank you so much.
“My preparation is all good. We do a variety of work, with swimming, we play soccer, we dancing, yeah. Enough?”
Alex Krassyuk, Usyk’s promoter, brought the press conference to a close soon after but only after the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion was honoured on what is Independence Day of Ukraine.
Despite Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Usyk has continued to live in his home country and has joined the country’s soldiers on the frontline during the past 18 months.
He was given a painting produced by Oleksandr Klymenko after his brief answer two days out from fight night in Poland.
K2 promoter Krassyuk said: “We have a particular current for Oleksandr Usyk. His contribution was recognised by the army forces of Ukraine.
“A very special item, the icon of the God Mother painted by the outstanding master Oleksandr Klymenko, whose masterpieces are kept by the Pope, the Swedish King Gustaf and Polish president (Andrzej) Duda.
“The icon is made on the picket board from the ammunition to the shell that have been utilized by our troopers defending Bakhmut.”
Usyk and Dubois shared a fist bump after a cordial face-off with both fighting for the first time in 2023.
Dubois was last in action in December at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he recovered from a knee injury and being put down three times in the first round to beat South African southpaw Kevin Lerena by stoppage.
Meanwhile, Usyk will step back in the ring again for the first time since he beat Anthony Joshua by split decision in Jeddah last August.
Talks between Usyk’s group and the camp of WBC belt holder Tyson Fury over a possible unification bout did happen earlier this 12 months however a proposed date of April 29 couldn’t be finalised.
Usyk should now consider including one other British boxer to his win column after beforehand defeating Tony Bellew, Derek Chisora and Joshua.