In the days which follow his blockbuster world-title bout against Anthony Joshua, Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk will go from defending his heavyweight titles on the grandest stage to defending his country against the Russian invasion.
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| Ukrainian professional boxer Oleksandr Usyk. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles since defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021. Photo: Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images |
“He will return to territorial defence, there is no hesitation about it,” his promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, tells BBC Sport.
Usyk will face Briton Joshua at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday, 20 August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The 35-year-old fighter added: “We have to go ahead, be strong and keep moving. This fight is very important. The people of Ukraine need to feel the pride. To become happy.”
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| From Left: Anthony Joshua of England and Oleksandr Usyk of Ukraine pose for a shot. Both heavyweight boxers will lock horns in a fight insise the Jeddah Super Some in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Saturday 20 August. Photo: AMER HILABI/AFP via Getty Images |
From the highs of becoming a two-weight world champion, to dealing with harrowing events in his homeland. Full Story
