Oleksandr Usyk Pleads With Pay-Per-View Star To ‘Stop Boxing’

Oleksandr Usyk has been rather forthcoming with plenty of bold opinions since he became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

The Ukrainian completed an incredible double in May when he beat Tyson Fury on points to claim all four major world titles in the banner division. He was the first man to secure a win against ‘The Gypsy King’ who had been WBC and lineal champion for a number of years.

That fine achievement came six years after he did the same thing down in the cruiserweight division, which itself came six years after he became Olympic Gold medalist at the London Games in 2012.

Usyk has long made his stance on influencer boxing clear – he’s not a fan. The rise of celebrities entering the ring has exploded in recent years and has been spearheaded by YouTuber turned boxer, Jake Paul.

The brash American has been involved in some of the biggest pay-per-view events against the likes of Tyron Woodley and Tommy Fury.

Now speaking to DAZN, he was asked to play a word association game and when it came to Paul he didn’t hesitate with his thoughts.

“Stop boxing.”

Paul was set to face former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in a controversial bout in July but an ulcer flare-up has delayed the fight until later in the year. Paul’s last two fights have ended with first-round stoppage wins, while Tyson has not fought professionally since back-to-back losses in 2004 and 2005.

Usyk himself is set for a contractual rematch with Fury on December 21 this year when he will be hoping to defend all four belts and then, he has suggested, move back down to cruiserweight.