Oleksandr Usyk has claimed Tyson Fury made more positive comments about him to his face after branding him a "blown up middleweight" on social media.
Usyk will defend his unified heavyweight titles for the first time this weekend in a second showdown with Fury's long-term rival Anthony Joshua at the Jeddah Super Dome in Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian star held talks with Fury over an undisputed bout prior to agreeing to a sequel with Joshua, and could still face the 'Gypsy King' if he progresses beyond his rival.
Fury has publicly claimed Usyk has a size problem when fighting in the blue-riband division, and dismissed the Ukrainian as a potential challenge when asked how he would shape up in comparison to Deontay Wilder. He said: “Hell no. Are you joking? You’ve got the most powerful in the history of our sport [Wilder] and what’s Usyk going to do? Tip, tip, tip, tip tip… Tap dance around the ring and run away?
