Oleksandr Usyk was quick to return to Ukraine to support the war effort against Russia after his victory over Anthony Joshua.
After Usyk defended his WBA, WBO and IBF titles against Joshua in their August rematch, he returned to Ukraine nine days later.
Oleksandr Usyk – Instagram
Usyk posted a photo outside his house, after raising the Ukrainian flag, after returning home
Today his manager, Egis Klimas, revealed he was back on the ‘front lines’ to support the troops as they fight against the Russian invasion.
“As we speak [Usyk] is in Ukraine on the front line,” Klimas told talkSPORT.
“Of course, not with a gun, but he boosts the morale of the soldiers. He is there and he supports his country, but otherwise he is good and healthy.
Prior to his rematch with Joshua, Usyk was in Ukraine and he joined the local Territorial Defense Force in Kyiv.
But it wasn’t until he visited injured soldiers in the hospital that he actually considered going to fight Joshua.
“He was inspired by the soldiers when he went to the hospital and he visited them,” Klimas said. “Wounded soldiers of war.
“When he walked into the hall and saw over twenty soldiers, some had no legs, some had no arms and everyone was cheering.
LomUs – Instagram
Usyk was pictured with a gun as he returned to help Ukraine’s defence, ahead of his rematch with Joshua
“The feeling to be there was amazing and everyone was shouting at him saying, ‘No we don’t need you here, go out there and fight, you’re a boxer, you’re a champion.
“As soon as he got out of the hospital he said, ‘That’s what I’m going to do’.”
As we now know, Usyk continued to box his way to victory over Joshua, winning by split decision.
This sets up a potential fight with Tyson Fury early next year for the four belts, which would see the first undisputed heavyweight champion crowned in the four belt era.
