Oleksandr Usyk feels fellow heavyweight world champion, Tyson Fury is afraid of him after the Brit dismissed a future showdown with him.
Usyk, the WBA ‘super’, WBO, IBF and IBO titlist could set up an undisputed title clash with WBC holder, Fury if he beats Anthony Joshua again on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
Fury, who announced his retirement after stopping Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium in April, has insisted that he will not go back on his decision regardless of the result on August 20 and even demanded a £500m purse to tempt him to return.
‘The Gypsy King’, who has backed Usyk to secure a second victory over ‘AJ’ recently said the Ukrainian was not on his radar.
“Usyk’s only just come into this generation one fight ago, so you can’t put him in it,” the 33-year-old said to IFLTV.
“He’s a middleweight blown up, so he can’t compare.
“Been a heavyweight two years.
“When you’ve been a heavyweight 10/15 years, come back and we’ll talk.”
Usyk, however is holding out hope that the Manchester man will return to face him if he is successful against Joshua, but believes his rival if apprehensive about fighting him.
“With the help of God, it would happen,” the 35-year-old told IFLTV when asked about Fury’s comments.
“Tyson says that he doesn’t wanna box me, fight me, because I’m not on his level.
“That’s because he’s afraid of me.”
“He’s probably kidding [about wanting £500 million to fight again].
“£500 million, who would give him £500 million? I also want £500 million, and what?”
Usyk, who dethroned Joshua with a dominant, unanimous decision win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September, came face-to-face with the two-time champion for the final time before fight week at a press conference in London on Wednesday.
Victory for Joshua would see him become a three-time world heavyweight champion and the 32-year-old Watford man told reporters on Wednesday that he does expect Fury to reverse his retirement decision to face him if he emerges victorious.
The broadcaster for the rematch is still yet to be finalised, with Saudi Arabia, who own the global rights to the fight making the decision on who airs the bout.
Promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed to Pro Boxing Fans on Wednesday that Joshua’s recent long-term deal with DAZN does not include the rematch with Usyk.
