Oleksandr Usyk has claimed that he "loves" Tyson Fury regardless of the Gypsy King's prediction that he'll knock his opponent out in "four rounds." The Ukrainian boxer remained calm and heaped reward on Fury whereas talking at the WBC conference forward of the pair's undisputed heavyweight fight - though he did have time for a cheeky dig at his English opponent.

The two heavyweight icons are set to the touch gloves early subsequent yr following prolonged negotiations. The historic combat will see the winner change into the undisputed heavyweight champion - a feat final achieved by Lennox Lewis in 1999.

The pair will compete for all 4 of boxing's main sanctioning our bodies belts up for grabs - WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO. Fury holds the WBC strap whereas Usyk boasts the IBF, WBO and WBA Super world heavyweight championships.

With the extremely anticipated combat looming, Usyk made an look on the WBC conference on Tuesday. The 36-year-old was stunned by a quick message from Fury who continued the pair's confrontation in a brief clip.

"Usyk, get ready," Fury mentioned in a video projected onto a big display. "I'll smash you into pieces sucker, four rounds."

When requested for his response to the video, Usyk calmly replied: "I love my opponent Tyson Fury. He's a great guy, I love Tyson.

Alluding to Fury's absence at the convention, he added: "Hey Tyson, the place are you?"

Despite Fury's daring knockout prediciton not everyone seems to be in settlement that the combat can be so one sided. Former world champion Evander Holyfield believes that the bout can be closesly contested, and that Usyk has a superb likelihood of giving Tyson the primary defeat of his skilled profession.

“It should be a great fight and hand speed will be crucial," Holyfield told the WBC. "Who can get off the most punches. Usyk has got a lot going for him and he is left handed.

“Fury has done so well so many times and styles make fights. When a person who fights a big man, is quicker and can take big shots you can win. Yet if you get hit it may be over. Life is about not quitting.

"I truly believe Usyk has that no quit mentality, so he is going to be in there. A fine balance for this one.

“For me and my career, it was a phase of life. During it I did my very best and now that it’s over, I’m kind of glad it’s over. During it, you have to love winning and be willing to go through what others won’t, because each and every time you go in the ring you think about what you have got to do to get that far. People who get there don’t quit!”

Both fighters will go into the bout with an undefeated skilled report. Usyk has fought 21 occasions and successful 14 by way of knockout, whereas Tyson has recorded 34 wins with 24 knockouts and one draw - towards Deontay Wilder.