JAKARTA – Ukrainian heavyweight boxer, Oleksandr Usyk, did not want to be left behind in defending his country which was attacked by Russia. In full army uniform and carrying a machine gun, he fought against the Russian army.
Usyk is actually in preparation for the rematch against British boxer Anthony Joshua. However, he chose to return to Ukraine last week.
Previously, Usyk uploaded an emotional video to refute the notion that he flew to England because he wanted to avoid war. After that, the athlete appeared with a photo of himself arming himself with an automatic machine gun.
"Some (media) wrote about me running away. It's not true, I had a work trip and now I'm back. I'm at home," Usyk said as reported by the Daily Star.
"Friends, we need to unite and overcome this, because we are faced with tremendous difficulties," he continued.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, did ask that anyone be ready to go to war. He hoped Ukrainians would join the army and be obliged to take up arms.
Usyk is not the first Ukrainian boxer who is ready to face the enemy on the front lines. The brothers of former Ukrainian heavyweight boxers, Vitali Klitschko and Wladimir Klitschko, are also ready to fight against Russian aggression.
"I am really overwhelmed with emotions and I am very concerned about my country and our people. Our friends must stop this war and we must do it together," Usyik said.
Meanwhile, Usyk and Joshua's duel may still be held. However, the implementation will not be able to go according to schedule considering the situation in Ukraine is still heating up.
Eddie Hearn, as the promoter of the match, was also concerned about this. However, he still hopes that the Russian invasion will not delay the duel between Usyk and Joshua which may be held in London or Saudi Arabia.
"I keep getting these questions and I feel kind of bad to say, as far as I'm concerned, we continue the fight," he said.
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