Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk, the former undisputed heavyweight world champion, commented on fans' reactions to his decision to hold a farewell bout against American Deontay Wilder. Many fans expressed disappointment, believing that the opponent no longer belongs to the elite of the division, but Usyk himself categorically disagrees with such an assessment.
Respect for the Opponent
In an interview with All Out Fighting, the Ukrainian champion emphasized that he does not box for glory, but does it because it is his life. He urged people to give credit to Wilder's experience, calling him a top fighter of the last decade and a dangerous opponent.
"Listen, this guy has been a top fighter for the last 10 years. He is a world champion. He is a dangerous guy. I don't box for glory. It's just my life," Usyk stated.
The Final Note of His Career
According to Oleksandr, the upcoming fight should be the last in his professional career. He admitted that saying goodbye to the ring would be a psychologically difficult challenge that many athletes face. However, Usyk is confident that if he announces the end of his career, it will be final.
"It doesn't scare me, but I think I will miss the fights. When I announce the end of my career... Maybe I will come back... But I don't think so. If I say "enough" — it will already be final," the boxer concluded.
Details of the Upcoming Fight
Recall that in June, Usyk relinquished the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles to focus on choosing an opponent for his final fight. According to the director of the Ukrainian's team, Serhiy Lapin, that opponent turned out to be Deontay Wilder. The fight is expected to take place in the USA, although the date and venue have not yet been agreed upon.
Earlier, Usyk also explained to former US President Donald Trump how Ukrainians differ from Russians, which caused a wide resonance in the media space.
