World heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, like many mere mortals, often contemplates hammering the snooze button.
“My phone alarm is like ‘Hey, Oleksandr, wake up, it’s time for training at five o’clock in the morning’.”
He says this while puffing out his cheeks with an exaggerated sigh.
Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 25 years when he outpointed Briton Tyson Fury in May.
After vacating the IBF belt, he returns to Saudi Arabia to defend his WBA (Super), WBC and WBO titles against Fury on Saturday.
The rivalry has catapulted him from a boxing great to a sporting icon. Having reached the summit, however, is there a danger of Usyk’s hunger and motivation dwindling?
Already in fight week we have seen Usyk glaring from the cockpit window of a plane and delivering his trademark dance moves.
But the best heavyweight on the planet, possibly of his generation, struggles with the necessary sacrifices and finds preparation a chore.
“I don’t like training, but I like boxing. I cannot box if I do not train. It’s all together,” the 37-year-old tells Sport.
“When I’m in camp, every day and every minute I think ‘what am I doing here? What am I doing here without my children and my wife?’
“But it’s my choice, boxing.”
