Oleksandr USYK says that Daniel Dubois showed “weakness” by pushing him during their confrontation when they promoted their revenge to become the world champion of undisputed heavyweights at the Wembley stadium in London on July 19.
Briton Dubois is the IBF champion, with Ukraine Ukraine holding WBA (Super), WBO and WBC belts.
USYK is undefeated in 23 fights and beaten Dubois, 27, via a Ninth round stop in August 2023.
One day after confirmation of their fight, the couple posed photos on the ground in Wembley on Monday when Dubois pushed Usyk, 38, in the chest.
Security comes between the pair before Usyk turns away and begins to laugh.
When he was asked if Dubois had improved since their last fight two years ago, Usyk told BBC Sport: “I think he did, Daniel wins the IBF belt, beat three good fighters. He is a world champion, a hard man, a dangerous man.”
When asked if the Englishman had changed mentally, Usyk replied: “Mentally no, the push is weakness.”
Explaining why he pushed the USYK, Dubois said: “It's a new self, the fear of acting in a particular way is no longer there, now I have to do what I have to do, it's the fighting game, it's boxing.”
There was a controversy the last time they fought when Usyk was finished in the fifth round, but the punch was declared a low blow by the referee.
Promoter Frank Warren lost a call at WBA for Dubois' defeat at the Usyk to be tried without competition and a revenge is ordered.
Dubois said that the Usyk had caused him “a lot of pain and frustration”, but that “helped me reach even more”.
He added: “It will feel even better when it is done, when I knocked out and won it. Put the demons in bed and put well what was wrong.”
