Joshua v Dubois: Unified champion Oleksandr Usyk tips Anthony Joshua to triumph over Daniel Dubois for IBF title
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Published 31/07/2024 at 18:24 GMT+1
Oleksandr Usyk has predicted his successor as IBF heavyweight champion of the world, tipping Anthony Joshua to beat Daniel Dubois in September. Usyk vacated the belt after failing to fight the IBF's next mandatory challenger, Dubois. The Ukrainian has a mouth-watering rematch with Tyson Fury set for December 21, and the pair have already thrown barbs across social media.
Usyk leads Sweet Caroline singalong at O2 Arena
Video credit: TNT Sports
Former undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has tipped Anthony Joshua to defeat Daniel Dubois in their IBF world title showdown in September.
The Ukrainian vacated the belt which he defended by beating Tyson Fury by split decision in May, and also has a special message for 'The Gypsy King' ahead of their December face-off.
Briefly becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, Usyk replied to Fury’s Instagram story, putting his victor “on notice” months in advance of their rematch.
But before that WBC sequel to the 'Ring of Fire' set for December 21, the 37-year-old believes Joshua will win the battle of the Brits.
"I think it's AJ," Usyk told Sky News. "I respect both of these guys, but I predict Anthony."
And in response to the IBF stripping him of his title due to the unified king failing to fight Dubois, the organisation’s mandatory next challenger, Usyk said it was “great” for the sport.
Usyk continued: "It's good. IBF does not take my belt, I give my belt for Anthony Joshua and Dubois.
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'You're a very good boxer!' - Fury and Usyk share friendly moment after epic heavyweight scrap
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Because for me, it's important that my sport, boxing develops. But if I take four belts, okay, what? I have four. I must defend IBF. Now it's not possible because we have rematch.
"Okay, no problem. It's good when different sportsmen have belts. For me, it's good. For boxing, it's great."
Instead, the 37-year-old has full concentration on his battle with Fury, who called out 'The Cat' on social media on Wednesday.
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Fury said on Instagram: "Just finished a lovely little run in the Bay with the lads, working away, chipping away nicely. December 21 – Usyk, you’re on notice. Come on!"
But in keeping with the fighter’s current laidback headspace, Usyk replied to his “friend” Fury with only a minor jab at the Brit’s eating habits.
The champion posted on Instagram: "Hey, my friend, greedy belly, continue training. I’m rest, brother (sic). I know you hard work (sic). It’s good. I appreciate it. Thank you so much, greedy belly. You are my friend."
Usyk’s generosity has extended beyond his rivals to encompass his compatriots fighting at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Ukraine are represented by a trio of pugilists in Paris - Dmytro Lovchynskyi, Aider Abduraimov and Oleksandr Khyzhniak - who will personally receive prize money from Usyk if they can score a medal.
Coach Dmitry Sosnovsky confirmed as much to Reuters, saying: "He told them that if they win medals at the Olympic Games, he will give the prize money by himself, from his pocket.
"He'll give them money for bronze, for silver and for gold. He said for first place it will $80,000, for the second place, the silver medal, $70,000. And the bronze is $50,000."
This was ratified by a spokesperson from the country’s Olympic committee, and Sosnovsky revealed that Usyk paid Lovchynskyi a visit before his unsuccessful bout with Teremoana Junior.
Sosnovsky said: "He was here on Monday and he went to the dressing room, before the fight, he went to say that everything will be okay."
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