The new undisputed heavyweight champion enlisted in the territorial defense battalion when Russia invaded Ukraine, and was urged to return to boxing by his own comrades on the frontline, and also by the Klitschko brothers.
British journalist Michael Benson revealed what Wladimir Klitchko said to Oleksandr Usyk when he entered the boxing ring at the end of the latter’s fight against Tyson Fury.
He said: “I am proud of you, I thank you for this victory. And the most important thing is that it is a historic victory for us Ukrainians.”
Usyk replied: “Thank you, you inspire me, you have always inspired me.”
Witnessing the conversation was former footballer Andriy Shevchenko, who also embraced the new heavyweight champion.
Today Usyk is the pride of a nation. The undisputed champion returned to boxing on the advice of the Klitshcko brothers. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he initially enlisted in their country’s territorial defense battalion.
Vitaly (mayor of Kiev) and Wladimir understood that he could be of more help as an elite athlete than as a military man, and they urged him to pursue his career instead. With the approval of President Zelensky, he picked up where he left off in his career: as world champion.
He had already defeated Anthony Joshua and a rematch against Joshua awaited him upon his return. Then came a bout with Dubois and, last weekend, he was crowned undisputed heavyweight champion.
For his second duel with AJ, Ukraine sent 15 soldiers to enjoy a few days away from the war.
Before the Ukraine war
Before the outbreak of the war, Usyk enjoyed his stay in the United Kingdom by going to watch the Champions League. It was during that time he learned that Russia had launched the attack through a message from his wife.
He immediately took a flight to Poland and crossed the border into his country. He said that his car was the only one going in the direction of Ukraine.
He spent time at the frontline in the ghost town of Niu-York. He recalled ahead of facing Dubois: “Some of the guys I was on the front line with didn’t understand why I was there.
“They would tell me that not even generals went there, and I would reply that I wasn’t a general, that I was just an ordinary Ukrainian.”
The undisputed heavyweight champion also revealed that his own comrades urged him to get back to what he was best at.
“Many told me that it was my duty to train and prepare for the [Joshua rematch] fight and go home with a win. If I can bring them some fun by winning fights, then I would fight every day. I’m not boxing for belts now.”
Usyk’s point of view now is not the same as it was before 2022: “I box for all those who are defending our country right now and in memory of those warriors who are no longer with us.”
The Crimean, however, did not stop there: “Also, for all those who want to be free and who defended their country against those who wanted to conquer them”.
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