Oleksandr Usyk has taken an uncharacteristic swipe at Tyson Fury, saying he believes far too much of his own hype.
The Ukrainian, 34, has taken his rivalry with the British boxing star to the next level ahead of their potential undisputed clash.
Fury shocked the world by knocking out Deontay Wilder in their trilogy fight, a few weeks after Usyk pulled off a stunning upset over Anthony Joshua.
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that AJ has exercised his rematch against Usyk - with the fight expected in March or April.
But Usyk has set his sights on unifying the division, and fancies his chances against Fury, who had to pick himself up off the canvas twice against Wilder, 35.
“Yes, of course, I do regard this fight a huge one. I see him as a very good fighter, good athlete, he talks a lot, he has a tongue," Usyk told The Sun.
"He claims he’s the king of the kings, but it’s only he who thinks that. That’s what I can say about him."
Fury will have considerable size and reach advantages over the former undisputed cruiserweight king, but Usyk doesn't envisage that will be too much of a problem.
"Before my Joshua fight everyone was saying that I haven’t got a single chance to win and beat Joshua," he added.
"I used to hear those types of things throughout my life, but I am capable of beating Fury because I’m not boasting that I can just punish and beat every boxer in the world, but I just go to the gym and do my job.
"I train hard, I work hard, I put all my effort in. I’m not trying to present myself as the king of the Universe.
"I do what I have to do. I concentrate and I’m focused and I get the result according to my effort."
Fury holds a record of 31 wins and one draw in a 12-year professional career, while Usyk is also undefeated with 13 knockouts in 19 wins to his name.
The 34-year-old continued: "I can’t comment much on his style because every fighter has his own style according to his own abilities and his own tendencies.
"So, I think the main thing is his style brings him the victories.
"That’s the main thing. Some people like it, some people do not. But he is successful."
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