WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk joined Riz Khan for an exclusive interview on Al Arabiya News.
After conquering the boxing world and a double-challenge from the intimidating Tyson Fury, he now feels he has a couple of fights left before he hangs up his gloves after an undefeated professional career. As a proud Ukrainian, he’s carrying the sporting hopes of his nation during a time of conflict and chaos.
As diplomatic moves continue to find an end to the war with Russia, Usyk reflected on coping with the twin-challenges of life both inside and outside the ring.
When Khan asked Usyk about the idea of a potential fight with Daniel Dubios and Anthony Joshua, he added: “There is always a chance. In the first fight, Daniel was the winner. It’s sport. If there is another fight and I am not a great predictor it will be interesting to see another fight between Joshua and Dubois - a revenge match.”
When asked if he would fight Daniel Dubios, Usyk said: “We want to fight Dubois. My team is ready. A lot depends on how God will give us a way to do it and the second person who can do it is His Excellency, Sheikh Turki Al-Sheikh, because he is the person who can organise this fight. I think there would be obstacles otherwise.
“The only person who can organize it is His Excellency and the Riyadh season. You know, I always fought on the land of my opponents. At present, Saudi Arabia has created the best environment, and organised these fights, so it has become like my second home. When I box in Saudi Arabia, it feels like our second home – great people, great fans. We can go to look around and meet with people. Currently, we cannot host fights in Ukraine, but we can have them in Saudi Arabia – they are very kind to us.”
When Kkan put it to Usyk that there is a lot of interest from the public in seeing boxing also being mixed with other fighting styles like UFC fighter, Alex Pereira who has expressed an interest in a crossover fight with him and if he could be one of the final fights before retirement, Usyk replied: “Yes, I would be interested, but only after the fight with Daniel to merge our belts. I even considered the option of fighting in a cage. It is a joke, but every joke contains an element of truth.”
On the idea of Tyson Fury making a comeback to the ring and if he missed Fury, Usyk responded: “We don’t communicate at present. Probably, in the future we will. I am sad and miss this great guy, our interaction. We had 24 rounds. It’s like a lifetime. Like you live with someone for 20 years so it’s a very long road for both of us. It’s the same with my unbelievable friend, Tyson Fury.”
When pressed if he would compete in the boxing league announced by Dana White [CEO OF UFC] and Saudi's leading sports guy, his Excellency Turki El Sheik, Usyk said: “Amazing, amazing idea. I think His Excellency is doing a lot for the sport. It is wonderful that new initiatives are created and I support it. Many people think things may not work, but it is important to do new things. Always.
“I am not against it, but I haven’t been invited to participate in this league but if such a proposal comes through, my team and I will seriously consider it.”
When asked about the Russia-Ukraine war, Usyk said: “Yes, our army continues to defend our country, and our guys are fighting for our freedom from the enemy, and I am grateful to them for that. I feel that it is impossible to express the gratitude that we all have for what our guys are doing. We are very worried, my people are dying, relatives, missiles are flying over our heads. We are helping our country as much as we can.
“People see it on TV but they still don’t get the full picture of how horrible this war is. We are talking right now, and the sirens are going off, that means that I must go to a shelter or a basement.
“When I entered the Territorial Defense Forces, it was a natural human reaction to be fearful – missiles and war planes were flying. But as a Ukrainian, as a husband, as a father, I did not consider leaving the country and taking my family. My wife and I agreed straight away that we were not going to leave. I am praying to God that he saves my family from bullets and missiles. My team and I took arms and went to defend our country.”
On entering the world of Hollywood, alongside Dwayne the Rock Johnson for the movie The Smashing Machine, Khan asked if Usyk was looking to become the next Arnold Schwarzenegger? He answered: “I don’t think I will be the next Arnold Schwarzenegger. I am not as solid but I practice acting.
"I would like to be in a movie. I see myself in a dramatic role. I think I would be able to act well. I will keep making boxing better and will spend more time with my children. I’m also planning to have a small farm with chickens, a cow, and some other animals. I will eat fresh eggs for breakfast and will grow berries.”
Riz Khan is a veteran broadcast journalist who started his career with the BBC in the UK, working in radio and then television, and joining BBC World as part of the launch team – where he co-presented the first show in November 1991. He was headhunted to join CNN in the US to help launch CNN International in 1994. In 1996, Riz launched the world’s first live, interactive global talk show, “Q&A with Riz Khan” that featured leading global newsmakers in politics, business, entertainment, sports, and the arts, all taking live questions from viewers across the world reaching over 450 million households.
In 2004, Riz joined Al-Jazeera as the founding director to launch Al-Jazeera English in 2006 where he hosted the live, daily interview show, ‘Riz Khan’ and weekly, ‘One on One with Riz Khan.’ Riz Khan is currently a presenter for one of Al Arabiya English’s flagship interview shows. Returning to traditional journalist values of debate the show brings balanced perspective and gives the audience a chance to ascertain facts for themselves in an informed and educated manner.
Al Arabiya English is the leading source of news and opinion from the Middle East for English-speaking audiences around the world. It is a 24-hour digital news platform publishing breaking news, politics, business, features, opinion and lifestyle. With a headquarters in Dubai and correspondents across the region, Al Arabiya English presents a globalised view of the Arab world to audiences across five continents.
