By Alexey Sukachev

Tensions were always high between K2 Promotions, specifically the Ukrainian side, and ex-WBA light welterweight champion Andrey Kotelnik, also from Lviv, Ukraine.

A couple of days ago, the now-retired 2000 Sydney Olympics silver medalist fired right in the direction at WBO #3 cruiserweight contender Olexander Usyk (7-0, 7 KOs), the 2012 London Olympics heavyweight gold winner. Usyk is promoted by K2 Promotions.

“Usyk has never won anything meaningful but he is already very popular”, said Kotelnik to Galichina Sportivna.

“He became so popular because of his showman skills but not because of his boxing. Charisma and behavior are the reasons for [his popularity], not boxing. He indeed danced a hopak (Ukrainian folk dance) very well at the Olympics. Lomachenko is not talked about as much as Usyk despite the fact Vasyl has won more titles in the amateurs than the entire Ukrainian team in its history."

He then added, “If Usyk continues to fight those invalids, he won’t become a champion any time soon. He has potential but we need to see him in hostile territory. He is fighting tomato cans and no-hopers now and he is looking good against them. But some questions were raised during his last fight. Had not for the referee stopping it, he would have gone the distance against (Andrey) Knyazev. And Knyazev is below average."