Usyk: Gvozdyk will dominate light heavyweight division

WBO cruiserweight champion Ukrainian Alexander Usyk (12-0, 10 KOs) believes that his former national teammate Alexander Gvozdyk (13-0, 11 KOs) will be able to defeat Andre Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) if the fight with the American could be organized.

“How I consider Alexander Gvozdyk’s chances in a potential Andre Ward fight? Bob Arum believes that the fight can take place before the end of 2017. Is Alexander ready to be on top of the world of boxing now? I think yes. He is ready for the title fight, and what Bob Arum says is real. I think Alexander can create a strong competition in this weight category right now, and I think he will dominate,” Usyk said.

“For a long time we trained with Alexander Gvozdyk in the national team under the leadership of Anatoly Lomachenko, and we did a lot of work. Naturally, I look at my friend, Vasily Lomachenko, and take some elements from him. Of course, I have my own way, but he has magnificent elements, which he does, and I try to somehow adopt them, work on them, see what he does,” Usyk added.

In his next fight Gvozdyk will face Craig Baker on August 19 in Lincoln, Nebraska. It will take place on the undercard of Terence Crawford's unification bout against Julius Indongo for all four belts in the junior welterweight division.