Oleksandr Usyk has lifted the lid on his split with long-term promoter Alex Krassyuk.
Usyk returns to action this weekend when he takes on Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in London, looking to once again crown an undisputed heavyweight champion.
The Ukrainian currently holds the WBC, WBA and WBO titles, and had become undisputed with a win over Tyson Fury last May, but he had to vacate the IBF belt in order to fulfil the rematch with Fury in December, which resulted in another victory for Usyk.
That allowed Dubois to pick up the IBF belt, which he defended for the first time in September with an emphatic knockout win over Anthony Joshua, before now turning his attention to Usyk for a rematch from their first clash in August 2023.
Usyk won by ninth round stoppage during that clash in Poland, but it wasn’t without its controversy, after Dubois thought he had his opponent down with a body shot earlier in the bout, only for it to be correctly ruled as a low blow.
A lot has happened since that first fight though, with one notable change coming recently when it was revealed that Usyk and Krassyuk would no longer be working with one another, with Krassyuk explaining the situation on social media.
“It’s been a tremendous journey — 12 years of unbelievable success. Two young dreamers met each other to change the game. Back in 2013, I gave you my word — and I kept it.
“At the time, no one believed we were capable of achieving what we set out to do. But by the grace of God, we completed the mission impossible… A dream come true!!! Thank you for all we’ve gone through and for the honour to be the lifetime promoter of the Double Undisputed. May the Lord bless you and guide your next steps. Thanks God for everything.”
It came as a surprise to many boxing fans, especially due to it only being a few weeks out from the meeting with Dubois, but Usyk has now told The Stomping Ground that while their boxing relationship may have ended, they will still continue to work with one another on other projects.
“Listen we not break with my relationship with Alex. I build business, Usyk 17, Alex Krassyuk now work with this company. We stop relationship in boxing but Alex help me with other work. We work a lot of years, 12. We win great trophy but we continue work but different work.”
While things may be happening outside of the ring, the main focus will be what is going on inside of it between Usyk and Dubois on Saturday, and fellow heavyweight Dave Allen has given his prediction for the bout having previously sparred both men.
