JAKARTA - WBO heavyweight world champion, IBF, WBA, IBO, Oleksandr Usyk plans to invite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend his battle against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.
The fight between Usyk and Dubois is scheduled to take place on August 26 in WroClaw, Poland. Usyk (20-0, 13KO) will try to defend the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles.
"What is certain is that we will submit an official invitation to Volodymyr Zelensky. If he has time," Usyk said as quoted by BoxingScene.
However, Usyk is not very optimistic Zelensky will attend his invitation. The reason is, the President is too busy in the midst of a war situation with Russia that is still ongoing today.
"But we understand that he is busy for almost 24 hours a day. I met the president more than once and I saw the fatigue that enveloped him. He may not show it, but you can see that he works all the time," Usyk said.
Dubois will be Usyk's second heavyweight world title defense match. The unbeaten champion previously secured the title above and then defended it in two matches against Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022.
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Usyk himself was happy when his promoter team started discussions to hold a match against Dubois in Poland. He is satisfied with this location because it borders his country.
"I think fighting in Poland would be a great idea. It's a country close to Ukraine. We have a good relationship with Poland and it really helps my homeland," Usyk said.
Usyk's efforts to defend his title versus Dubois (19-1, 18KO) came after negotiations failed for an undisputed championship match against lineal heavyweight/WBC champion Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24KO).
Negotiations between the two fighters actually lasted for months for possible clashes in the coming spring. However, talks between the two sides never paid off.
WBA then ordered Usyk to join the title consolidation fight versus Dubois from London. Dubois, who holds the WBA 'Regular' heavyweight title, is Usyk's mandatory challenger.
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