Bashir stated that he was confident in Usyk’s victory over Murat Gassiev. Bashir saw the Ukrainian in training and Usyk constantly surprised him with his physical conditions.
"I predicted that Usyk would dominate (in the fight with Murat Gassiev), and that's what happened, he's just from another league, he's confident in himself, and his condition is what distinguishes him from his rival. He prepared for three years for it and saw in him what other boxers have not shown me for the last 25 years. To remember who else had with such a desire, one has to climb far back in the years," Bashir said.