Usyk is currently in Ukraine helping to fight back against the Russian invasion
Anthony Joshua’s rematch against Oleksandr Usyk is now in doubt due to the ongoing war in Ukraine following the invasion by Russian forces.
Joshua had been set to take on the Ukrainian in May this year following his defeat to the Ukrainian at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last September.
However, due to the emerging conflict, Usyk has since returned to his homeland where he is a part of the Kyiv territorial defence alongside the likes of Vasily Lomachenko and both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.
Oleksandr Usyk joined the Kyiv Territorial Defense in Ukraine to defend his country from Vladimir Putin's invasion by Russia… pic.twitter.com/UUHZy0ADVe
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 28, 2022
Usyk spoke alongside his manager Egis Klimas, who translated for the boxer, and admitted that whilst there are many threats, he isn’t afraid to take a life to defend his country.
‼️ Oleksandr Usyk has indicated that the Anthony Joshua rematch is in doubt as he defends Ukraine from Vladimir Putin's invasion by Russia: "I really don't know when I'm going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my pride are more important to me than a belt." [@CNN]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) March 2, 2022
“If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it,” he told CNN.
“But I don’t want that. I don’t want to shoot, I don’t want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice.”
“Maybe, it’ll sound sentimental, but my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor belong to my country, to my family.
“So there is no fear, absolutely no fear. There’s just bafflement — how could this be in the 21st century?”
When asked about the status of his contractual rematch against Joshua, Usyk admitted it’s the last thing on his mind and couldn’t put a time on when it would take place.
“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring,” said Usyk.
“My country and my pride are more important to me than a championship belt.”
Related links:
- Klitschko brothers on Vladimir Putin’s 23-man ‘kill list’ following Ukraine invasion
- Tyson Fury says he will join military if UK join war in Ukraine
- Klitschko brothers to take up arms to defend Ukraine from Russian invasion
