Three-belt heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk is recently spoke with The Guardian about the war in the Ukraine. The usually jovial Usyk seems scared by the death and devastation as the article painted the grim and life-changing effect war has on people.
What is clear is Usyk is no longer - just a boxer. He is a piece of Ukrainian national pride.
When Usyk stood ringside after Tyson Fury predictably stopped Derek Chisora, Usyk started back at Fury with an icy glaze as Fury spouted the following
“Usyk, you are next, you little [expletive],” Fury said to Usyk look him in the eyes. “You’re next, rabbit! Prick. Fifteen stone little midget bodybuilder. I ain’t a bodybuilder, sucker. I’m going to write you off. I’ve already done one Ukrainian in [Wladimir] Klitschko and I’ll do you as well, gappy teeth.”
Usyk on the other hand reflects rather firmly as though the taunts and trash talk are not even a thing.
“Once there had been children’s laughter and the smell of boxing in that gym. All the passion of boxing. When I got there it smells only of darkness and death,” said Usyk “In that moment I decided I want to return young athletes to this gym and I want to return people to their homes.”
When Usyk faces Fury it will be for pride..but not his own, but rather his country.