Exclusive: Oleksandr Usyk reacts to fight prediction from Derek Chisora

The Ukrainian star is focusing solely on the historic event ahead of him.

Oleksandr Usyk is set to face kickboxing icon Rico Verhoeven on Saturday, May 23, live on DAZN from the Pyramids of Giza.

The Ukrainian star heads into the bout unbeaten as a professional, and a defeat would go down as one of the biggest upsets in combat sports history.

As the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, Usyk is widely expected to come out on top.

But Derek Chisora stirred debate this week by predicting Verhoeven will shock the world.

Despite entering as a significant underdog, with only one previous appearance in a traditional boxing ring, Verhoeven has found a believer in Chisora, who insists the Dutch kickboxing king will hand Usyk his first professional loss.

Usyk, though, appeared unfazed by the talk, brushing aside Chisora’s prediction and downplaying the growing pre-fight noise surrounding the clash.

The 39-year-old said: “Derek, you’re crazy, you are crazy, and you know this is only words. ’Blah blah blah blah’ a lot of people only [talk]. 

“Because it’s [for] TV, it is [for the] internet, when people say true, a lot of people, oh no it’s bad.

“But when people say dirty lies, a lot of people wow, maybe it’s good. Just words.”

What did Derek Chisora actually say?

During an interview with talkSPORT, Chisora said: “Watch this, I think [Oleksandr] Usyk loses this fight in Egypt…

“That’s what I’m saying. You have your own choices. I’m telling you. I’m not trying to get a rise, I’m telling you.

“But I’m telling you, he’s going to beat Usyk. Just hit the guy.”

You can watch the full Boxing King Media exclusive with Oleksandr Usyk here:

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