Oleksandr Usyk arrived dressed as The Joker but insists he is not the villain this weekend.
Instead, the Ukrainian was inspired by the Cossack warriors of his homeland. This is what explained yesterday’s terrifying appearance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium’s final press conference.
Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker wore the same suit as Usyk. He has shaved his hair and wore a silver earring to represent his horseback-riding East Slavic Christian ancestors.
“The suit is inspired by The Joker but he is not a positive hero,” Usyk, who was born and raised in Shypyntsi.
“I am a positive hero.
“My look, the hair, moustache, earring is all inspired by my ancestors who were 17th century Cossack warriors.
(Image: Getty Images)
“My surname Usyk means ‘moustache’ in Ukraine.
“My Cossack ancestors, their name was ‘Uss’
“I used to do the Cossack dance after some of my amateur wins, I might do it again if I win on Saturday.
“I am a very unpredictable guy.
“I have this look for this fight because it is coming from my heart.”
(Image: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I)
Usyk spent most of the press conference yesterday doing maths puzzles set to him by his team as he looked completely unmoved by Joshua warning him that he should fear getting in the ring this weekend.
He is an eccentric character that is different from any other fighters, even fellow Ukrainians like Vasiliy Lombenko and the Klitschko siblings.
“After I finished school, I wanted to go to the theatre/arts university.
“But I was already boxing, I won the junior Ukraine championships and I realised it might be a step to somewhere for me, so I decided to enter a physical education institute.
“But I like theatre, I write poems, I learnt to play the guitar, I like different things.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Usyk ruled supreme at cruiserweight but he will give away three inches in height and potentially up to two stone in weight tomorrow night.
He wants to be like David Haye and Evander Holyfield, who won titles in both divisions.
The Ukrainian added: “Will I be my heaviest? Do you take into consideration my street fights? You will have to wait for the weigh-in.
“People always talk what they would like to happen, they say what they want, so if people say Anthony is stronger than me and I am weaker, that is what they want to believe.”