For Oleksandr Usyk since becoming world heavyweight champion in what promises to be a historic night inJeddahon Saturday. It was a long and difficult road. The whimsical talent has elevated the sport over the past decade by topping divisions with a combination of mesmerizing angles and majestic footwork.Anthony Joshua went crazy at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September
But Usyk added another fascinating new addition to the heavyweight's rich history. While writing chapters, this charming talent carries the weight of his position around the world asUkraine fights for freedom in war. Against Russia.
"The Ukrainian people are struggling to defend our independence, defend our freedom, defend our culture, while others are destroying and trying to destroy them," Usyk said. said.
Despite his message translated by his promoter Alexander Krassyuk and some sentences in broken English, it is not very strong.
Usyk's already confirmed return to frontline and Ukrainian territorial defense underscores the magnitude of his immediate mission.
Boxing has always relied on hype and bad blood to grab attention in the final hours before the first bell, but Usyk is different. Olympic champion, undisputed former cruiserweight world champion, road he warrior with famous nights in Riga, Moscow, Manchester, London and more. Simply put, he is one of the greatest figures in boxing's generation, both amateur and professional.
Usyk appeared to be working hard again this week, largely ignoring drab rhetoric throughout Wednesday's press conference, instead bowing in his seat and concentrating on math puzzles. But the toll of the expansion to Jeddah has finally prompted a more animated version of Usyk, perhaps conscious of his role as millions of people watch this week.Usyk, 35, publicly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war,
but on Wednesday, Usyk's promoter dressed in a traditional Cossack costume Eddie Hearn sent more words of joy and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Eager to rally his team and supporters when Joshua skipped the press conference stage,Usyk jumped up and sang the Ukrainian national anthem,"Oi u luzi chervona kalyna red viburnum,” he shouted.
Stunning rivals wasn't a well-known pledge from fighters, but it may have prompted a deeper realization between Joshua and his team. With a box of tricks in a southpaw stance, Usik feels the need to not only produce great martial arts, but to serve his more than 40 million compatriots. It's a sign.
Cossack Spirit: Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk poses next to his championship belt
(AP)
"I am in contact with many people on the front lines," he reveals. "I get audio and video messages from them with words of encouragement and they say they are praying for me and my victory. This inspires me a lot.
"I'm not a politician, I'm a sportsman. I just want to see my children, whom I haven't seen in almost half a year, and I want to see my mother. They're all in Europe now. I want to meet and hug them. Then I go to Kyiv
"What motivates me is the true deeds of the people. If the Ukrainian president had left in the first days of the war, the Ukrainian people would have lost hope." But he didn't, he said, ``If someone comes to kill me, I want to be able to defend myself, so give me a weapon.'' Mochi noticed that he had a huge ball. We had to fight for our leader.
The match will be available for free viewing in Ukraine this weekend at Usyk's insistence, a lost opportunity to pocket millions more from broadcast rights.
Saturday marks a defining moment in Usyk's career, even as Tyson Fury is expected to return from retirement for another undisputed fight in the months ahead. I feel like
"He made contact with military officials and took wounded soldiers to hospitals. With each conversation, he heard words of congratulations and support for accepting the rematch.
“People wanted him to fight. People still want him to win. There are not many men in the world who can offer this to millions of people.”
Usyk shines in the ring, winning WBA, WBO and IBF titles. There is a limit to what you can accomplish just by defending. Destruction in Ukraine will of course continue. Usyk, however, epitomizes a mentality for many returning to Ukraine, and the biggest fight of the year will be in shades of blue and yellow around his superdome in Jeddah.
Usyk's influence is immense. Saturday's rematch shows hope beyond his brilliance in the ring.
