Oleksandr Usyk has revealed the source of his remarkable resilience ahead of his July rematch with Daniel Dubois.
The 38-year-old heavyweight champion was once knocked unconscious by a horse.
"When I was young, a horse punched me in the head, BAM!" Usyk said, per The Sun.
"When I opened my eyes I asked, 'Am I alive?'"
Boxing news: Oleksandr Usyk has revealed the source of his remarkable resilience ahead of his July rematch with Daniel Dubois, with the Ukrainian revealing he was once kicked in the head by a horse
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The Ukrainian suffered "a hole in my head and lots of blood" but returned a month later to find and ride the same horse.
"No problem," he added.
This heavyweight clash will see the pair meet for the second time at Wembley Stadium on July 19.
Usyk, the WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight king, first defeated Dubois in Poland in 2023.
The Ukrainian had to climb off the canvas after a controversial low blow incident and, since then, has added to his legacy by twice defeating Tyson Fury.
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Boxing news: Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois will do battle this July
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The undefeated 38-year-old remains confident despite his advancing years.
"This silver hair is a power," he insisted when questioned about his age. "It's not possible for me to be too old."
Dubois enters the rematch as the IBF champion following his sensational victory over Anthony Joshua last September.
The 27-year-old Londoner has transformed since their first encounter.
"I am battle-hardened now, I am totally different to the fighter who lost our first fight," Dubois declared.
On using mind games against Usyk, he added: "I am not going to try to get into his head I am just going to punch him."
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Tensions between the fighters were evident when Dubois shoved Usyk during their Wembley face-off on Monday.
The British fighter also took aim at Usyk's age, dismissing him as a "silver-haired pensioner".
Despite the animosity, Dubois acknowledges the futility of mental warfare against Usyk.
The Ukrainian has proven himself a master of mind games, having driven Tyson Fury into retirement.
Usyk, however, remains unfazed by Dubois' power or provocations.
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Usyk revealed his mother Nadya has given him specific advice for the rematch, too, as he bids to come out on top.
"My mother told me to be careful in training and in the ring," the Ukrainian said.
She specifically warned him "not to get punched and to have a big groin protector."
This reference to protective equipment alludes to the controversial low blow incident from their first fight.
Boxing news: Oleksandr Usyk beat Daniel Dubois in their first fight back in 2023
GETTYUsyk has drawn inspiration from family throughout his career, including his late father Anatoly.
The champion missed saying goodbye to his father following his 2012 Olympic triumph.
Despite the tension, Dubois paid tribute to Usyk's efforts for Ukraine amid the nation's ongoing war with Russia.
"He is a hero to his people and I commend him for that," the British fighter acknowledged.
However, Dubois quickly added: "But once we are in the ring, I need to be the king."
