Oleksandr Usyk has claimed Tyson Fury made more positive comments about him to his face after branding him a "blown up middleweight" on social media.
Usyk will defend his unified heavyweight titles for the first time this weekend in a second showdown with Fury's long-term rival Anthony Joshua at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian star held talks with Fury over an undisputed bout prior to agreeing to a sequel with Joshua, and could still face the 'Gypsy King' if he progresses beyond his rival.
Fury has publicly claimed Usyk has a size problem when fighting in the blue-riband division, and dismissed the Ukrainian as a potential challenge when asked how he would shape up in comparison to Deontay Wilder. He said: “Hell no. Are you joking? You’ve got the most powerful in the history of our sport [Wilder] and what’s Usyk going to do? Tip, tip, tip, tip tip… Tap dance around the ring and run away?
"He didn’t do any damage at all to Anthony Joshua and definitely ain't doing damage to me. I'll obliterate him. He’s a cruiserweight. He’s a middleweight, a pumped-up middleweight! He was a middleweight in the amateurs, 75kg. I was a super-heavyweight at 11 years old.”
Usyk has now responded to the claims, telling reporters: “I want to laugh every time I watch him and listen to him. He told me completely different things to my face but I am not going to tell you what he told me. I know we are fighting."
Fury and Usyk were in talks over Joshua potentially stepping-aside from their rematch to allow an undisputed title fight, but the negotiations quickly collapsed when Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn claimed Fury demanded a warm-up fight before tackling Usyk.
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The current unified champion has shown his capabilities having defeated Derek Chisora after making the switch as undisputed cruiserweight king, before dismantling Joshua with a dominant display. Despite doubts over his size in comparison to other heavyweight stars, Usyk has shown his skills at the highest level.
Another win for Usyk against Joshua could see a rekindling of undisputed title talks with Fury, despite his rival's confirmation of retirement on his 34th birthday. Fury's promoter Bob Arum has admitted he has spoken with Usyk's team about a fight providing he progresses beyond Joshua.
"I will let you know when Joshua's fight with Usyk happens in a few weeks," Arum said in an interview with Barbershop Conversations. "I'm hoping that Usyk wins because I have talked with his people and I think they would be anxious to fight Tyson Fury. And I am hoping to do that fight in December or early next year. I just think Usyk is a better talent than Joshua and he is certainly quicker than him and I would like Usyk in the undisputed fight."
