Oleksandr Usyk insists he is not fighting for money - despite raking in millions to fight Anthony Joshua.
Usyk will meet Joshua for the second time on August 20, having become unified heavyweight champion with a comfortable points victory last time out. Their second meeting will be held in Saudi Arabia which commanded the highest bid for the rematch after months of negotiations.
Joshua and Usyk are both expected to pocket a purse of around £100million for the heavyweight clash. But Usyk has claimed he does not want to become a great despite his achievements in the sport. "I am very happy to have the opportunity to have my fight in the new venue in Saudi Arabia," Usyk said when previewing the second fight. "It opens some new horizons. I love to travel throughout the world and have my fights somewhere for the first time and somewhere for the second.
"Everything I do in my life, the way I live and the way I fight is something that I am enjoying. I am not fighting for the money or for the recognition. Many people want the recognition, many people want others to remember them but I don't need this, I don't want to become a great. I am just doing my job and I will continue doing it until my heart is beating. The only thing I am on my way to is to saving my soul. Everything else that happens to me is just life."
Usyk and Joshua have faced backlash over the selection of their venue in Saudi Arabia with the country accused of using sportswashing, a distraction from human rights issues in the country. They are reported to have spent around £1.5billion on securing sporting events including the country's new golfing LIV series.
The money at stake for both fighters is likely the key factor as to why the venue was selected, with Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn admitting he was required to follow the most lucrative revenue path. However Joshua has praised "immaculate" Saudi Arabia and has pointed out his positive experience facing Andy Ruiz Jr in the Middle East.
Do you think Oleksandr Usyk will beat Anthony Joshua again? Let us know in the comments section below
"I don't know what that [sportswashing] is," Joshua said when addressing the backlash. "I'm here to win the heavyweight champion of the world. I like Saudi. I think Saudi's good. I'm having a good time here. I'm treated really well. "All that allegation stuff, for me, I'm not caught up in any of that stuff. I'm here to have a good time, mix with the local people, bring entertainment to Saudi."
Usyk has had other priorities prior to securing the rematch, having returned home to take up arms against Russian invasion of his country. However he has now made a return to training and will look to outclass Joshua again this summer. It will be Joshua's second lucrative Saudi-backed purse having earned £67m to face Andy Ruiz Jr.
