Former Dynamo Kyiv forward Viktor Leonenko has assessed the prospects of famous Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk at the highest level of football. As a reminder, Usyk currently has a contract with Zhytomyr-based Polissya.
Viktor Leonenko- Usyk said that if it wasn't for boxing, he would have become a footballer and played in the English Championship. How realistic do you think that would be?
- Usyk probably likes the Premier League. Moreover, many of our players play there, and he knows most of them. It's hard to say whether he would have succeeded in playing there or not. I don't like to speculate. We have a lot of promising footballers, but only a few of them grow up. After 20 years, everyone disappears somewhere!
- Usyk played as a striker at Polissia. Let's imagine in which club he could have played as a forward if he had continued to play football in his youth?
- Definitely Dynamo! The Kyiv team still takes tall players. Usyk would definitely not have been able to push me out of the squad, but Vanat would have been easy! Vanat is the top scorer in the UPL, but he doesn't play in the national team. How is that? Yes, Dovbyk scores a lot for Girona, but he has only been playing there for the first year.
Dovbyk should fear the worst - a goal drought next season. He must now score at least as many goals as he did in his first season for Girona, ten goals will not cut it. Anyone can shoot in one season, don't forget Leicester. We'll see where Girona will be.
Let's get back to our topic. Usyk is suitable for Dynamo because of his height, and for England because of his fighting qualities and strong character. Any English club would be a blessing for him. Many people used to want to play in Chelsea, but looking at what is happening now with the London club, few people will want to go there, except for a lot of money.
Although then it is better to go to Saudi Arabia. I do not condemn such players, it is their choice. Personally, I have never been interested in money.
- What do you see as Usyk's strengths as a footballer?
- Well, how do I know his strengths? It's clear that Usyk is tough, like all boxers. We, footballers, rest compared to how boxers train. As for Usyk's speed, I can't tell you, but strikers must have good speed.
- What is your prediction for the Usyk-Fury fight?
- Of course, I'll be rooting for my man, Usyk. The outcome of heavyweight fights is hard to predict. Any punch and you're already down! Most likely, Fury will hug, climb into the clinch, and it takes a lot of strength for lighter boxers like Usyk.
Usyk is smaller than Fury, but he is faster than the Briton. Usyk will definitely win on points. The only question is whether he will last 12 rounds, whether Fury will hit him or not.
- Who do you think is the best heavyweight in the history of Ukraine? Usyk, Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko?
- Of course, Wladimir Klitschko. He had the best left jab in the world. His opponents just got tired of his jab. Yes, Klitschko lost to Joshua, whom Usyk beat twice, but Wladimir just had to end his career earlier. No one is surprised that the boxer is over 40 years old. If Klitschko were Zidane, he would have gone undefeated, but there are few such athletes. Floyd Mayweather left at the right time.
- Who do you consider the best athlete in history?
- For me, it's Usain Bolt, because everyone loves speed, and he is the fastest man in the world. He also quit on time, although he could have run some more. I'm not sure if his record can ever be broken, even if you run down a mountain.
But every sport has its stars. As for football, the number one of all time is Pele, the second is Maradona, and the third is probably Zidane.
Andriy Piskun
