Oleksandr Usyk names one fighter he doesn't like and why ahead of Daniel Dubois fight

Oleksandr Usyk has revealed he dislikes just one of his former opponents. The Ukrainian heavyweight icon is all set for a rematch with Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night, where he is determined to notch up another victory against the Briton following his controversial ninth-round stoppage in Poland in 2023.

As Usyk approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, which potentially has just two fights left to run, his love for the sweet science remains undiminished. Renowned for his gentlemanly conduct, Usyk typically shuns verbal jabs and displays reverence towards his adversaries, both within the squared circle and beyond. However, there is an exception to this amicable stance after he opened up on his feelings towards Marco Huck. The pair met for the WBO cruiserweight title in 2017 as part of the World Boxing Super Series.

Usyk told DAZN: "My weakness? I love people. I love my opponents. The only one of my opponents I do not love is Marco Huck. He is a bad guy because this man said bad words about my mother. Listen, it is bad, but all my British rivals, they are great people."

Ahead of their fight at Berlin's Max-Schmelling-Halle, Usyk appeared visibly unsettled at times. In one pre-fight confrontation, after being provoked by Huck, he said: "I will bury him on Saturday."

The outburst followed a string of personal jibes from Huck, including appalling comments about Usyk's mother. On fight night, Huck came out swinging but was ultimately defeated in the 10th round. Usyk went on to win the tournament, beating Murat Gassiev in the final.

Fast-forward eight years, and Usyk remains a titan in the boxing world. He is looking to become a three-time undisputed champion, which would place him alongside the greats of any era.

In keeping with his usual conduct, Usyk has shown admiration for Dubois, saying: "Daniel is a good athlete and a boxer. He has good skills Daniel... last three fights, he had great wins in Filip Hrgovic, Jarrell Miller and Anthony Joshua. I think he is a great fighter."

Usyk is naturally predicting another victory, which could pave the way to a third meeting with Tyson Fury. Usyk confidently predicted: "I win... wonderful."

Meanwhile, Dubois, 27, is confident his time is now as he attempts to become Britain's first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000. He told the BBC: "I have resurrected myself, resurrected my career and now we're on a roll.

"Unstoppable, I feel like I can't be beat right now. I'm in the prime of my life and I'm going to go through whatever I have to do,

"I've got to beat him this time and I am going to win. I am going to cause chaos, knockout, by any means possible. I am ready. Man, I'm ready 100 per cent. As soon as the bell rings my whole approach is to seek and destroy, bring chaos, get the victory and seize the moment."