Oleksandr Usyk promoter hopes Tyson Fury avoids another injury before 'fight of a lifetime' – ‘Pray for Tyson'

 

Oleksandr Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassyuk has dismissed suggestions that the heavyweight champion is a “cry baby” and says he is ready for the “fight of a lifetime” against Tyson Fury.   

Usyk and Fury are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on May 18, live on TNT Sports Box Office, in an undisputed title showdown.

The fight has been a long time in the making and was initially booked for February before Fury pulled out due to a cut he suffered in training.

Krassyuk has said he is hopeful that this time there will nothing preventing Fury from stepping into the ring.

"I do hope that Tyson will wear his helmet, his protective gear this time and not injure his eyebrow or whatever he could injure, and that this time the fight on May 18 will go the way it should have gone in December and then in February," Krassyuk told Sky Sports.

"It's the fight of a lifetime. The whole world is waiting for it.

"Let's pray for Tyson and expect that the guy enters the ring."

Usyk’s previous fight saw him beat Daniel Dubois in August.

There was a controversial moment in the fight when Usyk was dropped to the canvas but was given time to recover as the shot from Dubois was called a low blow.

Fury’s promoter Frank Warren has said Usyk has a history of “complaining and moaning” when caught in the body and “'crybabies' to the ref”.

But Krassyuk hit back at that suggestion.

"When a man gets hit in the area below the naval, he normally suffers," he added. "That's what happened in the Dubois fight… and it's normal not just for Usyk but for every man to suffer from low blows. That's the reason why these blows are illegal in boxing and forbidden, being strictly supervised by the referee.

"How can you call Usyk a cry baby? The man gained his title in Poland and has never defended it in his homeland.

"He has always gone to the backyard of his opponents and he has destroyed his opponents.

"No, he is not a cry baby. He is the big man in boxing and he is waiting patiently to step into the ring. It's going to be a great festival for him."

Usyk holds a 21-0 professional record while Fury is also undefeated at 34-0-1.

Krassyuk added: "I can tell you about the secret weapon of Usyk's, the only problem is it's not a secret.

"His weapon is his mind, his heart, his experience and boxing skills. And the main thing about him that is different from Tyson Fury is his discipline. That is what makes him great and it is his toughest weapon."

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