Tyson Fury (34-0-1, 24 KOs) has insisted that his highly-anticipated, undisputed heavyweight encounter with Oleksandr Usyk (21-0, 14 KOs) is strictly business and that his fight with the Ukrainian will solidify his long-standing opinion that he is the premier heavyweight of his generation come May 18.

Speaking at today’s press conference held in his hometown of Morecambe, Fury said he respects the Ukrainian despite his disdainful comments towards the former undisputed cruiserweight champion and current WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight champion. 

“It’s not personal. It’s strictly business for both fighters. There’s a lot of stuff on the line, but I don’t hate him,” Fury said of Usyk. “I respect him as a man and as a fighter.

“Anyone would have to respect the man’s achievements. He’s the unified heavyweight champion and the undisputed cruiserweight champion.”

Fury believes that despite Usyk’s achievements, technical brilliance and determination to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era, his size advantages will prove to be the telling factor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

“We have weight divisions for a reason. When the cruiserweights step up to the big boys, they are usually found wanting. You can beat the average big ones, but you can’t beat the elite big ones because size really matters,” said Fury. 

“These are facts.”

The former unified champion and current WBC world heavyweight champion Fury, renowned for studying the history of the sport, feels May 18 will be his crowning moment and his chance to prove that he is the greatest heavyweight champion in history

 “I’ve studied this game all my life. This is my time, my destiny, my era and my generation,” he said. “Facts.”