OLEKSANDR USYK has lifted the lid on Anthony Joshua’s classy call to Wladimir Klitschko.
Usyk, 36, twice beat Joshua for the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles, and has plenty of respect for his former opponent – in and out of the ring.
The Cat’s native Ukraine has been at war since being invaded by Russia just over 12 months ago.
And Joshua, 33, reached out to Usyk’s Ukrainian compatriot and another of his former opponents Klitschko to see if he could help in any way.
Speaking to Parimatch Ukraine, Usyk revealed: “Anthony Joshua called Wladimir Klitschko and asked him how he could be useful to Ukraine and help.
“I have double respect for him for that.”
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After the war broke out, Usyk immediately joined the frontline to serve his country.
The southpaw held a machine gun as he patrolled with the Ukraine Defence Battalion, but prayed he would never have to kill a Russian invader.
A devout husband and father of three, Usyk only left to start his training camp for the Joshua rematch when injured victims in military hospitals urged him to head for Saudi Arabia to defend his heavyweight belts.
Ahead of their Jeddah clash last August, AJ spoke of his respect for Usyk.
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He said: “If it was me, yes, it would definitely have an impact and I don’t know if it would be positive or negative.
“I don’t know how I would deal with it but I know it would be tough. I have never lived in anything like a conflict like that, so I don’t know the sort of ramifications it would have on me.
“I respect what he has done 100 per cent. It’s his home, isn’t it — you have to defend your home.
“It is such a shame that civilians get the worst end of the bargain in wars, when it is a political issue. He is just trying to defend his community so I respect him.
“I think I would have done the same, not as a boxer or a warrior, just as a general person.
“People have decided not to leave and to defend their homes. That has nothing to do with being a warrior. I respect what he has done.”
Usyk’s team are currently in talks with Tyson Fury’s representatives regarding a historic heavyweight unification bout.
A deal is not yet close for the targeted April 29 bout, however, with Usyk’s promoter Alex Krassyuk claiming that Fury’s camp have rejected a 60/40 for the winner offer.
🥊 Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk – Date, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know about heavyweight bout
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
