Oleksandr Usyk is taking inspiration from boxing great Muhammad Ali, with the Ukrainian paying tribute to ‘the Greatest’ as he faces Tyson Fury in just a week in a fight billed as the ‘Ring of Fire’, The pair will clash in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 18 live on TNT Sports Box Office. Usyk’s WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles, and Fury’s WBC title, will all be on the line.
Oleksandr Usyk is taking inspiration from Muhammad Ali and other boxing greats such as Rocky Marciano ahead of his undisputed heavyweight title fight with Tyson Fury, live on TNT Sports Box Office on May 18
The Ukrainian, who shares his birthday with the late boxing great, has previously called Ali his “ favourite athlete” and is drawing motivation from ‘the Greatest’ as a date with Fury in Riyadh next Saturday looms.
“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.”
Protracted and lengthy negotiations and a postponement finally landed the May 18 date for the fight in Saudi Arabia. Now begins an auspicious week of excitement with the undisputed heavyweight crown resting firmly on someone’s head at the end of it.
“This is an incredible feeling, having the opportunity to be here now and do what God allows me to do,” Usyk added.
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The 37-year-old last fought in August, knocking out British heavyweight Daniel Dubois in the ninth round in Wroclaw, Poland.
Before that, back-to-back wins over Anthony Joshua ensured he held the WBA, WBO, IBF and Ring Magazine titles, while Fury wrestled the WBC version from Deontay Wilder in 2020.
When the dust clears and one of Fury or Usyk has their hands raised it shall be the first time since Lennox Lewis’ conquering of Evander Holyfield in 1999 that the recognised heavyweight titles have been unified.
So too is there a frisson of anticipation at the collision of their undefeated records. Clearly, Usyk takes influence from Marciano’s legacy of staying undefeated for his entire career.
“Rocky Marciano was never defeated, he died undefeated.
“All these historic champions; all these boxers have done a lot for boxing, for its popularity.”
And should he beat Fury, what next for Usyk?
“Maybe I will go back to cruiserweight and win.”