Oleksandr Usyk is set to defend his WBC heavyweight world title next weekend but the undefeated ruler is looking elsewhere, admitting that ‘he is ready’ for a trilogy showdown with a former foe.
Since moving up to heavyweight, Usyk has twice overcome each of Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, but next Saturday, he fights a first non-British opponent since his 2019 heavyweight debut – tasked with Dutch kickboxer, Rico Verhoeven.
The Ukrainian star is also aiding Anthony Joshua in preparations for a planned clash with Fury later in the year, but that didn’t stop him telling Saudi powerhouse, Turki Al-Alshikh, of his intentions to face ‘The Gypsy King’ for a third time.
In a clip shared by Al-Alshikh, Usyk declared his plans to take on ‘Greedy Belly’ once again, but notably left out the United Kingdom when stating his desired location for the fight.
“Hi brother, I am ready, every time. I am ready. Las Vegas, New York, Saudi Arabia – anything. Come on! Greedy Belly [Fury] is my friend.”
Fury has since responded, confirming his own interest in a trilogy scrap and labelling himself as the ‘cash cow’ of the heavyweight division, as captured by Ring Magazine.
“Greedy Belly is coming for a feast of rabbit pie, get up! First, I will start with the chinless, bum, dosser, Anthony Joshua, and I will knock him out. Then, I am coming back for a rabbit pie.
“Greedy Belly is ready for some more rabbit pie. There is only me, there is nobody else, I am the cash cow. Come on!
“You want big paydays? It ain’t [against] an Agit Kabayel, it ain’t an Anthony Joshua, it ain’t a [Daniel] Dubois, it’s in ‘The Gypsy King’. London, New York, Las Vegas, let’s rock and roll, baby.”
Agit Kabayel remains as Usyk’s mandatory challenger and he must face the German or risk being stripped of his WBC belt, with Kabayel being promised a title shot in September.