Oleksandr Usyk Is Not Pursuing Undisputed Fight Vs. Tyson Fury

Oleksandr Usyk has made up his mind.

It seems that Usyk will be immediately returning to his home country of Ukraine, no matter the outcome on August 20 against Anthony Joshua.

“As soon as I finish the fight and take care of all the other business, I will immediately travel to Ukraine,” Usyk told talkSPORT.

“If I have my fight on the 20th, on the 22nd I will be in Ukraine.”

Even if Usyk were to defeat Joshua in their rematch, the Ukrainian boxer would still opt to return to his war-torn country, which was invaded by Russia at the beginning of this year.

When Ukraine was invaded, Usyk quickly joined a local territorial defense in Kyiv – casting his contractual rematch against Joshua into doubt. Former lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko also joined a territorial defense, but in a different city.

The difference between the two was that Usyk was able to leave the country. He never needed permission because of an exception in local law which says that parents of three or more children under the age of 18 can leave. Usyk has three and Lomachenko has two.

The rematch was originally scheduled for July, but it was pushed back due to issues with Joshua’s broadcast deal. It was later announced that he left longtime broadcaster Sky Sports for DAZN.

As for Tyson Fury, who is floating in the mix, he said he’d challenge Usyk in an undisputed title clash if he’s paid $500 million.

At Wednesday’s press conference, Usyk said:

“I am not fighting for money or any recognition. I am just doing my job now and will continue fighting until my heart keeps beating. I am not expecting anything from Anthony Joshua, but I know that he will be different, but so will I.”