Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter on Ukraine
Oleksandr Usyk is set to face Anthony Joshua in a rematch for the WBA, WBO and IBF world heavyweight championships. According to Usyk’s promoter, the fight is of great importance due to the current political situation in Ukraine.
At the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Usyk first made headlines by declaring that he would stay in Ukraine. Usyk wanted to stay in his homeland to help with the war effort.
Other Ukrainian fighters have also returned to make similar efforts. Vasiliy Lomachenko was one of the many who decided to strengthen the Ukrainian defense. Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko are also among those involved.
Usyk has since decided to go ahead with his rematch. Promoter Alexander Krassyuk thinks fighting Joshua is of greater good for Ukraine:
“The announcements he can make through the public because of what he does are just amazing. You can’t lose this chance. You can’t stay away from an exclusive opportunity to tell the whole world, to call on the whole world, that we must unite around my homeland, we must unite around Ukraine and stop the war and let all Ukrainians return home safe and sound.”
Usyk even started his own foundation to help those who suffered from the war.
Watch Oleksandr Usyk explain his foundation:
Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua 2 should go ahead
Oleksandr Usyk will defend his titles in a rematch against former champion Anthony Joshua. Usyk controlled the first fight against Joshua, winning by unanimous decision at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The judges scored the fight 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113 against Usyk.
Anthony Joshua had a rematch clause inserted into the fight. Speculation had grown in the aftermath of the loss as to whether the clause would be activated. Joshua has changed training squads and it was thought he might take a while to regroup. Instead, he opted to take the rematch.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said an announcement was imminent. The fight is set to take place in the Middle East in July.
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The first fight crowned Usyk unified champion in his second weight class. Oleksandr Usyk previously won the World Boxing Super Series, winning the WBC, WBO, WBA and IBF World Cruiserweight Championships in the process.