Home Support Motivates Usyk

By: Gyang Dakwo

World Heavyweight Boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk has revealed that messages from Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline fighting Russians are fuelling his mission to beat Anthony Joshua again.

Usyk is bidding to defend his world titles against Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia this weekend. The WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight world champion had to leave his beloved country under siege in March to accept the Saudi rematch.

Usyk, 35, said he has received countless videos and messages from his war-torn countrymen to spur him on for a repeat of last year’s epic win over Joshua in Tottenham.

He said: “I am not motivated by the news, not the war. I am motivated by the people of Ukraine who are struggling hard to defend our independence, defend our freedom, and defend our culture that other people want to demolish and destroy, they don’t want us to exist anymore.

“I am in touch with many guys from the frontline, military guys, and soldiers.

“I receive voice and video messages from them with words of support and news that they are praying for me and for my victory.

“They are holding their hands tight and praying for my victory and that motivates me.”