JAKARTA - Boxer from Ukraine, Oleksandr Usyk received messages and videos of encouragement from soldiers in a country that is at war with Russia. The video then inspired Usyk to beat Anthony Joshua in a rematch in Saudi Arabia.
The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world champions were forced to leave Ukraine due to the Russian invasion that has been going on since last March. He accepted a rematch offer from Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia.
The 35-year-old fighter then received many videos and messages from his compatriots. The video containing the message of encouragement was intentionally sent to support Usyk to repeat the epic victory over Joshua like last year at Tottenham.
"I'm not motivated by the news, or the war. I am motivated by the Ukrainian people who fought hard to defend our independence, to defend our freedom and defend our culture which other people want to destroy, they don't want us to suffer anymore," Usyk said.
“I got in touch with a lot of people from the front lines, military people and soldiers. I received voice and video messages from them with words of support and news that they were praying for my victory."
“They held their hands tightly and prayed for my victory and that motivated me,” continued Usyk.
Not only from the soldiers and their colleagues in Ukraine, the motivation also came from the figure of Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine. According to him, Zelensky is real proof of a true fighter.
“The real actions of people motivate me,” he said.
“If the President of Ukraine had left in the first days of the war, it would have been a very bad thing that would have left the Ukrainian people hopeless. But he didn't. That's what motivates us to stay strong and fight," continued Usyk.
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