Oleksandr Usyk denies using inhaler during the Tyson Fury fight: "I never used any banned substance"
Oleksandr Usyk shut down any conspiracy theories of him using an inhaler during his boxing match against Tyson Fury.
On May 18, Usyk and Fury traveled to the Kingdom Arena in Saudi Arabia for one of the biggest boxing matches of the decade. The heavyweight boxers battled to determine the first undisputed world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999-2000.
Fury found success early in the fight before Usyk took over in the later rounds, nearly finishing 'The Gypsy King' inside the distance. Once the dust settled, the Ukrainian heavyweight had his hand raised by split decision.
Since then, some fans have questioned if Usyk illegally used an inhaler in a moment caught on camera. The 37-year-old recently did an interview with Boxing King Media and responded to the accusations, translated by Michael Benson:
“Stupid people. Listen, I never used any banned substance. Never. I'm clean. The cross is my doping. My belief is my doping. My family, my team, my country - this my doping.”
Oleksandr Usyk wasn't the undisputed heavyweight boxing world champion for long. In the following weeks, he was forced to vacate his IBF title, later won by Daniel Dubois when he defeated Filip Hrgovic by eighth-round doctor's stoppage.
On September 21, Dubois will defend his IBF heavyweight title inside Wembley Stadium in England. 'Dynamite' has a tough challenge waiting for him, as Anthony Joshua is coming off four consecutive wins, including the last three by KO/TKO.
Oleksandr Usyk looks to end rivalry with Tyson Fury in rematch later this year
Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury had rematch clauses heading into their undisputed heavyweight title fight. On December 21, the world-class boxers will meet again in Saudi Arabia, with Fury planning to avenge his defeat and dethrone Usyk of his straps.
Depending on the result, the winners of Usyk vs Fury 2 and Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois could fight in 2025. It should be noted that the Ukrainian holds two wins over Joshua and one against Dubois, making the matchups arguably less intriguing than Fury vs Joshua or Fury vs Dubois.
Watch Usyk's entire interview with Boxing King Media below: