Wladimir Klitschko is backing Oleksandr Usyk to beat Tyson Fury when they rematch this Saturday live on Sky Sports Fund.
Boxing legend Klitschko has been linked with a surprise return to the sport to chase a world heavyweight title at the record age of 48.
It was Fury who defeated the Ukrainian star in 2015 when he became a unified heavyweight champion for the first time.
The rematch the following year never took place. But while Klitschko might consider fighting Fury for a world title, he would never box compatriot Usyk.
Klitschko also said Sky Sports: “Olexandr Usyk will keep me in retirement.
“It’s not going to be okay. I’m going to stay retired. It’s going to keep me retired.”
Klitschko has not fought since his 2017 loss to Anthony Joshua. But despite being one of Ukraine’s most high-profile international supporters, he insists he has remained in good shape.
“I remember that Oleksandr called me at the end of March this year, on my birthday, and said: ‘Champ, I wish you a happy birthday and I hope your dream of becoming the world’s oldest champion comes true.’
“I said: ‘Alexander what are you talking about, your fight is coming, you are in preparation, keep me in retirement.’
“So he promised: ‘I’ll do it, I’ll keep it (the championship) but I wish you this.’
Klitschko believes Usyk will be able to retain the WBC, WBO and WBA world titles he holds when he fights Fury this weekend.
“Olexandr is going to repeat history,” insisted Klitschko. “It’s going to be déjà vu. So replay. This is actually happening. I was here for the first fight. It just feels the same and it looks the same and it’s the same.
“It’s all about strategy. It’s all about technique.”
Klitschko admires Usyk and has a long relationship with his Ukrainian compatriot.
“I remember when Oleksandr was winning the Klitschko tournament as a teenager, this amateur tournament he was competing in had my name on it and he became champion. He was actually looking at me. That’s how I look at him now. How amazing life is,” Klitschko said.
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Oleksandr Usyk was accompanied by a live performance during his public training session for his rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21
“We’ll keep our fingers crossed that this time he’ll show that he’s the worst man on the planet, Oleksandr Usyk.”
“Usyk is unbreakable!”
Usyk and Fury fight for the second time at Saturday’s Riyadh Season event at the Kingdom Arena.
Winning a split decision over Fury in May, Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, making him the undisputed two-weight ruler and the first heavyweight to achieve that status since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
But Fury is determined to avenge his first professional loss and beat Usyk. At Thursday’s press conference they faced each other for the first time in fight week, and neither man would allow himself to blink, let alone escape the intense gaze.
It lasted for over 11 minutes before they finally allowed themselves to break free.
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Tyson Fury broke the chill after his clash with Oleksandr Usyk by taking part in a traditional Saudi dance
“He went the distance,” promoter Alex Krassyuk said Sky Sports after that face away.
However, he doesn’t think the Usyk-Fury fight itself will do it. He advises Usyk to end it early.
“I think it’s going to end up within the distance,” Krassyuk said. “I expect him (Fury) to be better prepared, much better prepared for this.
“So preparation is not an issue in this fight. The endurance is there. Technically, well, Usyk is better but Tyson is very good. The size, of course, the advantage is on Tyson’s side, but what gives you the victory?”
Then Krasyuk showed his head and heart.
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Tyson Fury broke the chill after his clash with Oleksandr Usyk by taking part in a traditional Saudi dance
He then added: “You can’t break Oleksandr Usyk. He will never back down when it comes to the fight.
“For me it was like a full 12,” the promoter said describing the press conference he watched.
“Mentally that’s something that helps you get the win. Mental strength. Usyk has mental strength. It doesn’t matter if he’s in a bad situation, a good situation, he finds a way to win. He invents a way to win.
“That’s why Tyson is nervous.”
The massive heavyweight rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will be broadcast live on Saturday, December 21 at Sky Sports Fund. Book Usyk v Fury 2 now!
