Oleksandr Usyk claimed he was ready to fight Tyson Fury immediately after his win against Daniel Dubois on Saturday night.
The unified IBF, WBO and WBA champion stopped his British opponent in the ninth round in Wroclaw, Poland, but survived a scare in the fifth following a pause for a low blow which many observers suggested should have resulted in a knockout for Dubois instead.
Victory for the Ukrainian tees up an undisputed clash against Tyson Fury after the WBC champion takes on Francis Ngannou on October 28, though no fight is official, despite rumours of a huge double-header in Saudi Arabia, also featuring Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder.
Speaking in the ring after his victory, Usyk said: “I feel good. For my team, my family, my children, I love you.
"But I’m grateful for my country, and [the] Ukrainian army. Thank you so much, Slava Ukraini."
Asked about the low blow and the power of Dubois, he said: "Boxing is a tough sport, but I’m great, but it’s boxing I love. I respect my opponent, but it’s not ballet, it's a king sport."
On the Tyson Fury fight, he answered: “I’m ready tomorrow. Listen, I’m ready. Next fight, I’ll fight Tyson Fury, but Tyson Fury I have no idea.
"I can’t wait to see my children, I can’t wait to get back home. I miss you. I spent a long time training, but I’m a little bit tired.”
When asked about his next fight potentially being another mandatory, this time against Filip Hrgovic fight, he added: “I now want to rest, it's work for my promoter and my manager. I now go rest and I can sleep and eat. I go drink sparkling water.”