OLEKSANDR USYK has laughed off Tyson Fury's astronomical demands to come out of retirement, insisting: "He's afraid of me."
The Wythenshawe warrior has demanded a whopping £500million to return to the ring for a blockbuster undisputed heavyweight title fight later this year.
And unified titleholder Usyk reckons The Gypsy King's outrageous purse demand is proof he doesn't fancy the tactical match-up.
The undefeated Ukrainian said: "Tyson says he doesn't want to box me, fight me, because I'm not on his level. That's because he's afraid of me.
"He's probably kidding. £500m! Who will give him $500m? I also want £500m."
Usyk will bid to lure Fury off the couch with another clinic in his high-stakes rematch with Anthony Joshua in August.
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The former undisputed cruiserweight king took AJ to school in their Tottenham tussle last September and is paying little attention to the Brit's preparations with new coach Robert Garcia.
He told iFL TV: "I don't think about [what] Anthony Joshua does with Robert Garcia.
"It's not my business how Anthony is training and what Anthony does.
"I think about what I do, my work, my training, my eating, my family, my country. I don't think about Anthony."
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The retired Fury doesn't see the Saudi showdown going any differently, saying: "I just think Usyk's too cute for him. Too smart, too quick and a southpaw.
"I think with Robert Garcia trying to train him to go on the front foot and be aggressive will only enable Usyk to land more often. I just don't see it but then again, what do I know.
"In heavyweight boxing it only takes one punch. It wasn't a complete landslide last time, Usyk had a lot of marks on his face he was cut up.
"He's not hard to hit, Usyk, he's right there in front of you so obviously Joshua can land a big punch on him.
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"Anyone can win a fight as we've seen many, many times. It's a good time to beat Usyk now because he's been at war for however long. If ever he was going to be off his ball, now is the time.
"I just think that Usyk's too good of a boxer for AJ and I don't think AJ has got the ability to pressurize him for 12 rounds, drag him into a dog fight and knock him out.
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