“As amateurs, we copied his moves. We faced disapproval in the gym since we were banned from doing so. They stated that it looked like we were losing our focus, our concentration, and that we seemed out of control. However, I continued to include these movements, even during competitions.”A Boxing professional who sparred with both Usyk and Dubois predicts a knockout. Upon sharing this news, 'Prince Nas' laughed and questioned,
“Who’s going be able to copy them moves?”Undoubtedly, Usyk is one of the most agile and difficult heavyweights ever to grace the boxing ring. His next challenge is defending his triple world titles for the second time against Daniel Dubois in Poland, another milestone in Usyk's rise to the top. In 2018, Usyk etched his name in history by becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion, securing all four major titles in the World Boxing Super Series. In the final match, he confronted Murat Gassiev, who held the IBF and WBA titles. Usyk dominated the fight, clinching a unanimous victory. This triumph cemented Usyk's rise to the top, making him the first cruiserweight in boxing history to hold all four major world championships—the WBO, WBC, WBA, and IBF titles. His ultimate dream remains a head-to-head battle with Tyson Fury for undisputed supremacy, despite the ongoing tension between both teams. Meanwhile, Fury is gearing up for a fight with former MMA champion Francis Ngannou, as Usyk's rise to the top continues.
“When I looked at Mayweather he had two phases of his career – Pretty Boy and then Money May. And he just became smarter, so I was just trying to get smarter as a fighter, that’s all. Once I faced defeat at the hands of Ruiz, I acknowledged my health setbacks, but it was becoming increasingly clear that at some point, I might falter. Why? Because I didn't feel like I was progressing. I was engaged in fights but not gaining knowledge. Thus, after the first showdown with Ruiz, I decided to overhaul my approach. I entirely transformed my fighting style – maintain distance, dodge, strike, and avoid being hit. This strategy was then incorporated into my subsequent matches with Usyk. He is the ultimate expert in that arena.”Post his second loss, Joshua made the switch from Robert Garcia to Derrick James in Dallas, confident that he had finally found the right fit. This new collaboration will play a crucial role in his journey towards Joshua's redemption. Joshua compared his training under the Texan coach with that of McCracken's.
“Yes [I wish my path had crossed with Derrick James earlier.] Rob’s a really good coach, the only thing I’ll say though is look at Froch’s nose. He just didn’t teach me defence. And in heavyweight boxing, the level of competition I was facing at that stage of my career, I was getting hit way too much with clean shots. During the preparation for the Ruiz fight in Miami, I was training with Solomon Dacres and Lewis, the tall six foot five individual, whilst Ruiz stands at only five foot. Meanwhile, Rob was in Japan for the Olympics, returning just seven weeks before the match. This level of involvement just doesn’t cut it for me. Derrick to me is like Rob but seems to be more committed … Rob was overly dedicated to the Olympic team, not the professional one. I devoted my prime years to Rob, and now I have to strive to reclaim them.”Joshua's next match under the guidance of James is scheduled for August 12, where he will be pitted against Dillian Whyte. This bout presents a significant opportunity for Joshua's redemption, as he aims to prove his mettle and reignite his career under the tutelage of his new coach.
"This is the fight that everybody has been yearning for years. It’s one of the biggest fights in the past decade that I can think of. So yeah, it’s pretty big. Since I was a little kid, my dad always told me you don’t have no friends in the ring, and you don’t play boxing. So when I go in the ring, it’s simple. I’m going to win."Crawford's previous victories over lesser-known fighters raise questions about his performance against Spence, a well-respected contender. Crawford on Spence fight, stated his competitive nature:
"This is the biggest fight of my career today to date, and you’re not about to be like, ‘Oh, man, I beat you. No. I’m going to be like, ‘I beat you’ because that’s how competitive I am. It’s not fun to me, losing. That’s what makes the game fun, winning. I’m prepared to do whatever I have to do on July 29th to make sure that I bring all those titles back to Nebraska."Crawford further dispelled rumors of dodging this fight during a commentary on the Spence match:
"This is a fight that I’ve wanted for a long time. This is a fight that a lot of people have been saying that I’ve been running from, scared of. We’re here now, and I’m going to show the world that I’m the best fighter in the world.”It is uncertain whether Crawford will decide to engage Spence directly, like Ugas, Porter, and Garcia did, considering Spence's evident dominance in the ring. On the other hand, Spence believes a unique quality separates certain boxers from others, stating:
"It’s something that certain fighters got, and other fighters don’t got, and it shows in the ring."As they prepare to fight for welterweight supremacy, both undefeated fighters exhibit immense confidence. In his final commentary, Crawford on Spence fight, talked about the fight as an opportunity to solidify his status as one of the world's best fighters. Meanwhile, Spence views the match as his chance to prove himself as the world's top pound-for-pound fighter, stating:
"I have all the ability, and I’m going to beat one of the best fighters in the world. That will settle the deal of who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world once I beat Terence Crawford."
"Usyk has come along and he’s done his thing, but Tyson Fury is still there, Tyson Fury is still number one."With candid expressions, he asserted his demand for this highly anticipated match, saying,
"These guys are the heavyweight champions of the world – let’s see them fight! I want to see them fight man, I’m sick and tired of all this bull****!"Tyson Fury, seen as the number one heavyweight, and Oleksandr Usyk have been in the boxing world's spotlight for a substantial period, with fans eagerly anticipating their potential face-off. However, this defining fight has remained elusive due to various obstacles, predominantly concerning contractual negotiations. Negotiations for a potential match had surfaced previously, stirring up the boxing world. The talks started, involving both parties in a dialogue to arrange the much-anticipated fight, though these negotiations often encountered obstacles. This is despite the clear interest from both sides, who both aspire to be recognized as the number one heavyweight. The financial aspects of the deal were a significant sticking point. Both Fury, the current number one heavyweight in many people's eyes, and Usyk are at their career peaks, and agreeing on a fair purse split was a challenge. The parties could not reach an agreement that satisfied everyone, leading to the discussions falling apart. The issue of scheduling also played a role. Both Fury and Usyk, both top-level boxers and contenders for the number one heavyweight title, have full fight calendars. The task of finding an appropriate date for the match, without conflicting with their other professional engagements, became another notable barrier. This eventually led to more delays and ultimately the talks' cancellation. Despite these hurdles, the dream of this match is not completely lost. The boxing community continues to hold onto the hope of a future showdown between Fury, the potential number one heavyweight, and Usyk. Despite the widespread demand for a Fury vs Usyk fight, including from Prince Naseem, Fury's next bout will not involve Usyk or another professional boxer. Instead, he is scheduled to fight former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou on October 28th in Saudi Arabia, with his WBC title not at stake. The upcoming match between Fury and Ngannou has been a hot topic for over a year, ever since Ngannou stepped into the ring following Fury's victory over Dillian Whyte last April. Ngannou, known as one of the hardest hitters in MMA history, has a record of ending 12 out of his 17 victories early, showing that he could match the power of any top-ranking boxing heavyweight. However, his speed, technique, and ring IQ are expected to be outclassed by Fury's skills and experience, who is considered by many as the number one heavyweight.