OLEKSANDR USYK said he has been preparing to fight Tyson Fury for NINE YEARS – ever since Ukrainian icon Wladimir Klitschko was beaten.

Fury in 2015 dethroned the boxing legend in a famous upset to become the unified heavyweight world champion.

Tyson Fury going head to head with Oleksandr UsykCredit: Reuters

Wladimir Klitschko was beaten by Fury in 2015Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

He is now in his second reign and almost a decade on from stunning Klitschko, he faces Usyk in a historic undisputed title decider.

Usyk – who has twice beaten Anthony Joshua – revealed he has secretly had his eyes on the Gypsy King ever since.

He said in a leaked TNT Sports face to face: “I’ve been preparing for this fight for a few years now, since he beat Wladimir.

“He didn’t know about me back then because I wasn’t famous in the world of boxing, but I have been preparing for him and Anthony Joshua from the very beginning. Since I started professional boxing.”

The unbeaten champions collide on February 17 in Saudi Arabia, marking the first time all four heavyweight belts have been on the line.

Despite the historic and monumental occasion – which Usyk waited nearly a decade for – Fury claimed he was only dedicating five weeks worth of training to it.

He said: “I train four or five weeks for these fights.

“Please, like I trained 12 weeks for Wilder and everybody else! Four or five weeks, how much training does a man need?

“Three or four weeks of sparring and one week of resting, done. We’ve been boxing for all of our lives since young boys, how much training do we need?

“I’m sure we aren’t going to forgot how to box and it’s not a fitness competition is it, so I don’t think you need anymore than five weeks.”

When asked to respond, Usyk replied: “I can keep on boxing non-stop for five weeks.”