Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter responds to De La Hoya comment

ALEX KRASSYUK has poured cold water on Oscar De La Hoya’s suggestion that unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is eyeing the winner of Saturday’s WBA/WBO cruiserweight title unification between Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez and Chris Billam-Smith.

Krassyuk, who promotes Usyk under the K2 Promotions banner, was responding to De La Hoya’s comments from the Zurdo vs Billam-Smith final press conference in Riyadh, in which the Golden Boy supremo stated:

“I heard through the grapevine that a special world champion in the heavyweight division is considering moving down to cruiserweight and fighting the winner of Saturday’s fight,” beamed De La Hoya as he made his pre-fight address.

“Oleksandr Usyk is considering coming down and fighting the winner of Saturday night. That’s how special this fight is.”

However, it would appear those comments were somewhat premature, with Krassyuk playfully dismissing the notion that the heavyweight kingpin is preparing for a return to the cruiserweight division, instead suggesting De La Hoya was using Usyk’s name to beef up promotion for his upcoming ‘Latino Night’ show in Riyadh.

Usyk has already won the cruiserweight titles held by Ramirez (L) and Billam-Smith (R).(Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

“Oleksandr Usyk is the huge name in boxing nowadays,” Krassyuk told Boxing News.

“So people can use it [Usyk’s name] as the magic stick for their own benefit free of charge, and many of them do so. Oscar De La Hoya is making his best efforts to promote his fighter, as any promoter would do.”

With Usyk widely-considered as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound combatants, speculation over his future post-Usyk vs Fury II on December 21 has been widespread. Over recent months, the Ukrainian star has made several proclamations about his intentions, ranging from a move into politics to a career in aeronautics.

“Oleksandr Usyk, in his multiple interviews, mentioned he was considering a lot of options for the future,” said Krassyuk.

“Among those were: becoming a Hollywood star, the President of Ukraine, the Minister of Sports, the Head Coach of the Olympic Team and traveling to the Moon.”

As far as Usyk facing the winner of Saturday night’s main event? It seems there is more chance of him visiting outer space…