Usyk vs. Knyazev in Ukraine-Russia 4/18 Grudge Match
By Alexey Sukachev
Following some infamous and tragic activities in Crimea and in Donbass, Russia and Ukraine were put on a brink of a full-scaled war between two fraternal nations. However, not all of the ties were severed – specifically in the sportive department.
Nevertheless, a potential collision between two sportsmen of the bitter state rivals is always explosive and can easily turn into a political affair with a number of otherwise uninterested parties.
Enters Andrey Knyazev (11-1, 6 KOs) of Voronezh, Russia, the WBO #15 rated cruiserweight, who is picked as Olexander Usyk’s next opponent. The bout between two WBO-ranked fighter will take place in Kiev, Ukraine, under K2 Promotions.
What makes this fight even bolder in the propaganda department is the fact that WBO #3 Usyk (6-0, 6 KOs), 2011 world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine, is originally from Crimea, while Wladimir Klitschko, an owner of K2 Promotions, is an outspoken patriot and supporter of the present Ukrainian government while his brother and former WBC heavyweight champion Vitaly Klitschko presently acts as a mayor of Kiev.
The fight is set for April 18 at the Sport Palace of Kiev. Usyk, 28, will make the second defense of his WBO I/C title – the one he had captured against South African Daniel Bruwer and defended against another RSA fighter Dannie Venter.
“We have a plan to supersede Evander Holyfield’s world record. The legendary American has once cruised to a world cruiserweight title in just twelve fights. Usyk aims to do it in a lesser number of bouts," proclaimed K2 Promotions general director Olexander Krasyuk. “We have stated it before, and we are building Sascha’s career accordingly. Usyk should fight for a world title in his homeland”.
Meanwhile, Knyazev, 29, Russian and WBO Oriental 200lb title holder, who lost to 6-5-2 fighter in 2013 but looked better in 2014 with a couple of stoppage wins, denied rumours of getting overly paid for a fight in an extremely hostile territory.
“Those offers cannot be rejected. It’s a huge chance for me, maybe a chance of a lifetime to score a major win against a top fighter. A win can propel me very high and give another pulse to my career. It’s also a great opportunity to test my skills against a very solid opponent”, said Knyazev to Sports.ru.
“I agreed to fight Usyk not because of a purse… It was solid but not overly. I’m not mispriced. An opportunity – this is what drives me against the Ukrainian… I’m not thinking of the atmosphere around the fight, just about boxing… I’m not intimidated by Usyk's fans. I pay no attention to them unless they bring guns to do some shooting at the arena”.
