Klitschko Brothers Support Oleksandr Usyk Against Anthony Joshua

Oleksandr Usyk  (Instagram @team_usyk)

JAKARTA – Brothers and sisters of former heavyweight boxers Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko support Oleksandr Usyk's decision to leave Ukraine to train and prepare for a rematch with Anthony Joshua.

The rematch between Anthony Joshua and Usyk was previously threatened with being canceled because Usyk took up arms to defend his country from the Russian invasion. However, now Usyk has reportedly decided to leave Ukraine to train in preparation for facing Joshua.

Vitali, who is now the mayor of Kyiv, also supported Usyk's decision. He even wanted to talk to Usyk and leave some messages before the fight.

"A very important message can be conveyed through events like this. We don't know if in three months we will still be around. I actually have plans to talk to Oleksandr Usyk to give him advice if he decides to fight," said Vitali, quoted by The Sun from The Telegraph. .

Usyk himself has confirmed via social media Instagram regarding his decision to leave Ukraine. He said that many of his colleagues supported a rematch with the British boxer.

"I decided to start preparing for the rematch with Anthony Joshua, a large number of my friends are supporting me, everything else is good and peaceful," he said.

Vitali's younger brother Wladimir Klitschko, who lost to Anthony Joshua in 2017 before retiring, also gave Usyk his blessing.

"There were pros and cons and it was a difficult decision to make for Oleksandr Usyk but to raise the Ukrainian flag and have our national anthem sung and one of our country's ambassadors out there with the right mindset could be more positive than negative," Wladimir said. .

"We need support. Since the start of the war, the economy has been nothing, but please don't forget we defend the democratic principles of freedom and free choice," he continued.

Usyk is a world champion who holds four WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts. He got all the belts after overthrowing Joshua through a unanimous decision on 26 September 2021 at the Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium, England

Previously, boxing promoter Bob Arum had confirmed the schedule for the clash between Usyk and Joshua in February. At that time he said the second duel would take place in the nearest June.