Oleksandr Usyk, who joined the territorial defense battalion earlier last year when Russia invaded Ukraine, recently posted an Instagram video in which he expressed his hope for victory and peace for his nation in the new year.
The Olympic gold medalist was not the only boxer in Ukraine to join the army to defend the country against foreign invasion. However, shortly after joining the defense battalion, the Ukrainian left the country and its people in order to prepare for his next bout against Anthony Joshua, which took place on August 20, 2022, at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Earlier, on February 24, 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine under the command of president Vladimir Putin. Even after ten months, the conflict has not been resolved, and innocent people continue to be killed every day. According to Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, there have been around 200,000 military casualties on both sides so far, and this number may continue to rise as the battle continues.
“You’re looking at well over 100,000 Russian soldiers killed and wounded. Same thing probably on the Ukrainian side.” said the general.
In the midst of the devastating war, Usyk said in his new year video that all he wants is what everyone else in his country wants: the end of this bloody war. The champion of the World Boxing Association (WBA), the International Boxing Federation (IBF), and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has high hopes for the new year, believing that there will be peace in the world and that his country would triumph against Russia.
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“I want to wish only one thing – what I want, and what all Ukrainians want.”said the 35-year-old boxer
“We want victory, we want peace, we want silence in our homes. We want every Ukrainian who left because of the war to return.” Usyk added.
Oleksandr Usyk will face Tyson Fury in the ring to resolve the undisputed debate, as the world’s top two heavyweights have verbally agreed to a bout.
