Oleksandr Usyk admits that there has been some wear and tear on his body after his contest with Daniel Dubois in August.
The unified WBO, WBA, IBO, IBF champion from Ukraine nevertheless is not too concerned about any niggling injuries as he prepares to take on Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship in December or January in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I can’t say that everything is OK,” Usyk said of his body on the USYK17 YouTube Channel that was accompanied by English subtitles. “But I’m fine. Some wounds, old injuries need to be healed. Everything’s under control.”
Usyk, who overcame a controversial punch by Dubois to stop the Londoner in nine rounds, noted that he will need at least 14 weeks to prepare for Fury.
“I do my training sessions everyday,” Usyk said. “But I need 14 weeks for my camp. The first four weeks I’m doing work that helps me get ready for the training camp. Then I’m working hard for the next 12 weeks.”
Fury, of course, must get past Francis Ngannou on Oct. 28 in order for the fight with Usyk to take place as planned. Fury is considered a prohibitive favorite against the untested Ngannou, the former UFC champion who is making his boxing debut.
Usyk said he preferred for his fight with Fury to take place in December. The 23rd of that month has frequently been floated as a possible date.
“I would like it to be in December, but there’s no certainty,” Usyk said.
“I would like to know the exact day and place,” Usyk continued. “Knowing it allows me to plan my training camp and choose its place. All these help me to start training. I understand that the promotion of the match is important and necessary—it is a component of the show.”
“But when I know the day and place, I can put on my helmet, close the visor, and set off,” Usyk added.
Sean Nam is the author of Murder on Federal Street: Tyrone Everett, the Black Mafia, and the Last Golden Age of Philadelphia Boxing.