OLEKSANDR USYK broke down in tears remembering his father’s heavenly visits before big fights.
Ukraine’s 37-year-old WBA, WBO and IBF champion won gold at the 2012 London Olympics.
But before he got home to celebrate with his already struggling dad and No1 fan, he passed away.
Tragically Usyk’s decision to wait three days for a luxury new car to arrive – which he was desperate to show his dad after a life of hardship – meant he missed his final moments.
But Usyk Sr returns before big fights and gives his son ethereal courage.
He explained to TNT: “He watched me become Olympic champion, but I didn’t make it back in time to show him the gold medal.
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“When I arrived he was already lying in the coffin.
“I handed him the medal, put it in his dead hand and then left the room.
“I was on my way back from London, I was already in Ukraine, three more days and I would have been home but I was waiting for a super-car to arrive.
“I wanted to bring it with me and show him what a cool car I had.
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“My mum called me at 3am to tell me the news.”
Usyk, a devout father-of-four, gives off a sense of guilt that he was not there for his father’s parting.
But thankfully on the eve of big fights, his proud father returns in his dreams and manages to show his boy how proud he is of his magnificent achievements.
“Sometimes he comes to me the day before the fight,” he said with tears filling his eyes and emotion choking his voice.
“Don’t cry,” he barked jokingly as he wiped away tears. “You’re a man.
“Yes, sometimes he comes the day before the fight and smiles.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
