OLEKSANDR USYK’S journey from Ukraine’s frontline to the Jeddah desert and his Anthony Joshua rematch can be revealed by SunSport.
The 35-year-old London 2012 Olympic champion flew back into the capital last September to dethrone fellow golden boy AJ of his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles.
Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua in a lopsided points decision last DecemberCredit: GettyThe pair will renew their rivalry in Saudi Arabia on August 20Credit: GETTYUsyk’s journey to the rematch has been a long, tumultuous and dangerous oneCredit: INSTAGRAM@USYKAA
But before he could even sign the rematch contract, while on a February trip to the UK his country was plunged into war against Vladimir Putin’s invaders.
With help from a source inside the 19-0 freedom fighter’s camp, we can reveal the emotional and physical voyage Usyk has undertaken to defend much more than his titles on August 20.
SPRING INTO ACTION
Usyk left his home for London on February 21 for some business but knew he had to be back on the 24th for daughter Yelizaveta’s birthday.
But officials would not let him pass as a pedestrian. Thankfully he met another Ukrainian crossing in his car so they loaded up in his vehicle and progressed.
It took him around two days to get home, with the road trip from the border to his home ten hours alone.
TAKING UP ARMS
By February 28, Usyk was already defending his people with a machine gun over his shoulder.
He joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence military group to defend the area where he and his family live and, together with his friends, they formed a group to defend their territory.
Our source revealed: “He had a machine gun, as everyone in the group did. It was loaded but he was praying every day that it would remain silent so he would never have to shoot.
“Thankfully God heard his prayers and he never had to.
“But another house he lived in previously was attacked and occupied by Russians.”
Usyk stayed in the basement of his house, together with all the guests who came to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.
He lost around 22lb in weight during his time, too stressed to train or eat well.
Usyk took up arms following Russia’s invasion of his homelandCredit: INSTAGRAM
FIGHT OR FLIGHT
Around March 25 — after almost a month of life-or-death hiding and patrolling — Usyk took to social media to confirm, after some deep soul searching, the rematch was agreed and he would be leaving Kyiv.
The wannabe Hollywood actor was against leaving Ukraine so had asked his wife Yekaterina to leave and take their children to a safe place. She said she would never leave Ukraine without him.
Usyk’s devotion to his country would not let him leave instantly so he stayed a couple more weeks and spent time with the military guards and his friends on the front line.
He met them and talked to them and visited hospitals with the wounded soldiers.
But Ukraine’s brightest minds and most powerful voices finally convinced him he could achieve more on the world sporting stage than on the front line.
He spoke to many powerful people and they all advised him on returning to boxin. His team then officially applied to the minister of sport to give Usyk and his team permission to leave the country and start his training camp.
They received that official permission from sports minister Vadym Gutzeit after he spoke to the President and Prime Minister Zelensky and they all confirmed Usyk should go and represent Ukraine on the world scene.
Usyk stood side by side with his countrymen before getting permission to leave
HUNGARY FOR SUCCESS
Usyk and his small and dedicated team met in Western Ukraine and drove across the border to Hungary and stayed in Budapest for a night. Then they moved to the Czech Republic.
Despite reports, the convoy never crossed the border into Poland and never stayed in Poland.
Team Usyk stayed in the Czech Republic for around two weeks, starting his training camp there together with Polissya Zhytomyr, the football team he made his debut for in a February 4 friendly.
When the fight was confirmed the group made their way to Dubai via car and plane and set up home in the Box IQ gym where he hopes to acclimatise quicker and better than AJ, who remains in Loughborough.
Usyk began training camp in the Czech Republic for two weeks before heading to DubaiCredit: INSTAGRAMThe unified heavyweight champ has proudly flown the Ukrainian flag during the tumultuous few monthsCredit: AlamyUsyk will have to put the hardships at home behind him retain his titles against AJCredit: Mark Robinson
STATE OF EMERGENCY AND MIND
Usyk looked refuelled and powerful at the Jeddah media events last week. He won their face-off at the press conference, forcing AJ to break their stare first.
The maverick danced in the mocked-up ring right in front of Joshua, while filming a promo, and then threw more shapes with ringside fans.
The champ, we are told, is back to his terrifying best and already has WBC champ Tyson Fury on his busy mind.
Our insider said: “It is true that Usyk lost a lot of weight but most Ukrainians lost a lot of weight at the start of the war because you cannot feel hungry sitting around in a basement hiding from explosions.
“After we moved to his training camp he got completely focused on his objection to fight and beat AJ in the rematch.
“The team has been working on his physical and mental health and you could see from the press conference that he is completely OK and his mental and physical health are on a high level. His condition and motivation are the best they can be.
“He is on target to defend his titles and his status as the unified heavyweight champion and then moved to become the undisputed champion.
