Oleksandr Usyk is showing no sign of nerves as he relived a funny moment from his childhood.
Usyk will face Tyson Fury in a highly anticipated rematch on Saturday in what will be the biggest fight of his career to date.
The champion, though, who beat Fury earlier this year, was calm in an interview with Boxing King Media on Sunday as he recounted overdoing it with the drink at the tender age of six.
“Listen, it was a very, very long [time ago]. I was six, maybe seven years old,” he said after being asked about the last time he was drunk.
“It was mum’s birthday and we lived in Crimea. We had a small room, one room and one bedroom. It was very, very small.
“There’s a table and there were glasses and limoncello.
“We had lemon and lemonade. It was me and my friend, but I don’t know where this man is now.
“It was a big [party] with my mama, papa, friends, my parents. [At one point] I went inside and [they’re] smoking, you know, but I went to the table.”
Usyk then imitates someone sniffing their drink before taking the first sip.
“It’s an alcoholic drink. [I thought]: ‘Maybe it’s not bad?’”
“I took a drink, watched how it felt, drank the lemonade and then ‘ugh’.
“Then I walk in and I don’t know what’s going on in my mind. But I took a bad step, broke my step and I [fell over]. I was like: ‘What’s going on?’
“My mum [said]: ‘Oh my God. What’s going on? My father [said]: ‘I know what’s going on. This man is drinking, drinking, drinking.
“I remember thinking: ‘Oh my God, it’s bad’. I never drink like this because my mind does not work.
“I’m gonna go to sleep. I go to the bedroom and…”
The Ukrainian then mimics someone desperately rushing to the toilet who doesn’t quite make it in time.
“I’m drinking water and [say]: ‘Help me, please help me. I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die’.
“My father [says] ‘No, no, you will live’. No, I’m gonna die.”
The interviewer then tells Usyk that he has drank alcohol before in his life.
“Listen, please continue,” Usyk responded. “I can drink wine, beer, but not a lot. But I like red wine, Corona, Coronita with lemon.
“Wow. But if you don’t drink ever that’s a smart guy for me. It’s very powerful. Yeah, it’s good.”
The 37-year-old also confirmed during the conversation that he believes his second fight with Fury is the biggest rematch in boxing history.
He got off to a strong start in their first encounter but was outboxed by ‘The Gypsy King’ in the middle rounds.
‘The Cat’ then rallied in the second half of the fight, winning the eighth frame before dropping Fury in the ninth.
Ultimately, the narrow scorecards read 115-112 and 114-113 to Usyk, with one card in Fury’s favour at 114-113. The knockdown proved to be the deciding factor.
Usyk arrived in Saudi Arabia for the start of fight week on Monday, wearing a colourful purple and green tracksuit that showcases his deep cultural roots.
Fury arrived ahead of his Ukrainian counterpart, with many questioning whether his father, John Fury, will be in his corner for the bout.
The 36-year-old Mancunian has previously mentioned that he needs to be ‘more focused’ and cut down on the ‘clowning’ around in order to beat Usyk at the second time of asking.
Usyk was asked whether Fury coming in heavier affects his preparation and what he plans to do differently.
“For me it doesn’t matter,” he responded. “I have a strong heart, I have desire. I have support from my country and my wife and children.
“Listen, I am a little bit sick of boxing. Bigger? No problem. I don’t have a message for my Greedy Belly.
“I have a message [for] my fans: Thank you so much for your support for me. See you on December 21.”
talkSPORT will bring you live commentary of Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday, December 21 with our coverage kicking off from 7.30pm
