‘I got it from a boy called Mickey in Ireland’ – Usyk explains hurley hysteria
Oleksandr Usyk raised eyebrows when he turned up at the final press conference ahead of his eagerly anticipated clash with Derek Chisora with a hurl and sliotar.
Many in the room didn’t know what a hurl was, while Irish fight fans wondered where he got it.
It was assumed the only Irish representation on the massive card, Tommy McCarthy had presented it to the former undisputed cruiserweight world champion.
However, the story behind the GAA apparel is that bit better.
A teen boxer from Belfast sent a letter and a gift the Ukrainian gleefully accepted into the Matchroom bubble.
Holy Trinity boxer Michael Marlow, a massive Usyk fan, was the man behind the hurl. A thankful Usyk took time to sign Marlow’s singlet upon receiving the gift and sent the 13-year-old a thank you video.
Holy Trinitys Michael Marlow wrote a letter and sent @usykaa a Hurley stick as a gift ahead of his big fight. Usyk signed his vest and sent a video back.
— Holy Trinity ABC (@HTBC_Belfast) October 29, 2020
When asked by other boxers where he got the “Irish stick” from Usyk replied I got it from a boy called Mickey in Ireland 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/62SgL2rNtO
The move should win Usyk some Irish fans ahead of Saturday’s clash, although the fact Dubliner Thomas Carty sparred Chisora in the build up to the heavyweight clash might see some on these shores supporting him.
Most importantly the card plays host to a massive fight for Tommy McCarthy, ‘The Mack Attack’ fights Belgian Bilal Laggoune for the vacant cruiserweight European title on the pay per view card.
