Oleksandr Usyk has revealed that he is eager to spend more time with his family after defeating Daniel Dubois.
Usyk became undisputed heavyweight champion again with an excellent performance which saw him stop Dubois in the fifth round at Wembley.
After reclaiming the IBF title, Usyk added it to his WBA (Super), WBO and WBC belts.
Although he admitted that victory motivated him to be involved in further fights, Usyk admitted that his family is his priority at present. He has four children with his wife Yekaterina. It has been suggested that Usyk has just one fight remaining before he retires.
Usyk told MailOnline: ‘Yeah, of course. This day motivated me. But, I want to give my time more to my family and my children. Three-and-a-half months, I’m not seeing my family, my wife, my children. It’s training, training, training. My children grow, but I do not see this. I want to give more time to my family.’
He also admitted that it is important for him to rest now.
Oleksandr Usyk is eager to spend time with his family after defeating Daniel Dubois
Usyk has four children with his wife Yekaterina (pictured in 2024), who have shown him much support
According to Usyk, Dubois is still capable of having a bright future in the heavyweight division
Usyk said: ‘I want rest next. I want to go back home with my family. I don’t know what I do next, but now I wanna rest.’
The Ukrainian played down suggestions that he can now be considered the best fighter, as he said: ‘I don’t know. Because I think, for me, first is Jesus Christ. When I make myself higher? God says ‘hey, listen!’ [wagging his finger]. I don’t know. I’m not the best of the best.’
Reflecting further on his hugely impressive achievement, Usyk said: ‘I’m very happy with what I have now in my boxing career. But I continue training, I continue to better myself. I don’t know, it’s just my weight.
Despite his victory, Usyk expressed his belief that Dubois could still be the future of the heavyweight division.
Usyk said: ‘Yeah, why not? Of course. Listen, Daniel is 27-years-old, yeah? That’s young. If he can continue training, I think Daniel can take a belt again.’
It was a special moment for Usyk to be able to share his success with his family.
He said: It’s special. It’s special because now we’re together, it’s warm. My family; my daughter called me before the fight ‘Hey papa! I pray for you. Papa, I think you win.’ I said ‘OK, we’ll see, we’ll see.’ Then you see our family on TV and [she says] ‘Papa, you did great!’ [big smile].
Usyk added that he shows his children his belts, with his daughter having made a video on Instagram.
Usyk produced another hugely impressive display as he managed to overcome Dubois
Despite his excellent record, Usyk played down suggestions that he is the best fighter
Following his win, the 38-year-old put his hand in a blue bucket, which he explained is like a prophylactic.
So far, Usyk has won all 24 of his professional fights.
