By Unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk revealed how he intervened to prevent a potentially violent brawl between his team and Tyson Fury’s entourage ahead of their undisputed title fight. The incident, which occurred on Monday, involved John Fury, Tyson’s father, who was seen headbutting a member of Usyk’s team, Stanislav Stepchuk.
The Incident
Footage captured John Fury aggressively lashing out at Stepchuk, resulting in a head wound. Despite the provocative behavior, Usyk took immediate action to calm the situation. He instructed his team to step back and avoid escalating the conflict.
“I said, ‘Hey, Team Usyk back. Step back, please’. Listen, my team is very good if you want to fight, not boxing, street, shooting, knives, wrestling. But I said: ‘Hey, hey guys, please back’. We must do good behaviour,” Usyk explained.
Usyk’s Leadership
Usyk’s intervention highlights his leadership and commitment to maintaining professionalism. He described Stepchuk, his team member involved in the fracas, as a powerful and potentially dangerous individual, likening him to a “pitbull.” Despite this, Usyk managed to halt any further aggressive actions from his team.
“My friend [Stepchuk] is a powerful guy. A street guy. Did you see the video, he was like a pitbull. I said ‘Stop!’ Okay, [they did],” Usyk recounted.
Reaction to John Fury’s Behavior
Usyk expressed disappointment in John Fury’s actions, labeling them as “bad behaviour.” He emphasized that such conduct is unbecoming, especially in the context of a professional sporting event.
“The problem is John Fury. It’s bad behaviour. It’s my opinion: bad behaviour,” Usyk stated. He also noted that any potential apology from John Fury was irrelevant to him and his team, focusing instead on their professional duties.
Focus on the Fight
Despite the disruption, Usyk insisted that the incident would not serve as a distraction from the upcoming fight. He reiterated the importance of maintaining focus and professionalism, especially given the significance of the event for fans in both the UK and Ukraine.
“Listen, we are professional athletes, we’re not street fighters. It’s a big event for our people, for the UK and Ukraine,” Usyk said. “If you want a situation like to destabilise my team, it’s not possible. Because it’s not only professional sportsmen. It’s professional soldiers, it’s professional sportsmen, it’s professional people.”
He concluded by stating that the incident only served as additional motivation for his team, reaffirming their dedication and focus on the task ahead.
Conclusion
Oleksandr Usyk’s handling of the situation underscores his leadership and commitment to sportsmanship ahead of his highly anticipated bout with Tyson Fury. His ability to maintain composure and defuse tensions amidst provocation reflects his professionalism and dedication to the sport, setting the stage for what promises to be an epic clash in the ring.
