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Oleksandr Usyk throws Anthony Joshua rematch in doubt by admitting Ukraine and ‘pride are more important than a belt’

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OLEKSANDR USYK is ready to KILL Russian invaders and has no idea if or when he will fight Anthony Joshua again.

The 35-year-old father-of-three is protecting his people in an underground bunker in Kyiv.

Oleksandr Usyk is back in Ukraine on the frontline defending them against Russia’s invasionCredit: Instagram @andrii_nebytov
The heavyweight champ has now cast doubt on his rematch with Anthony JoshuaCredit: AP

The undefeated WBA, IBF and WBO champion has joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence and been pictured with an automatic weapon.

The 2012 Olympic champion and undisputed cruiserweight king dethroned AJ in September and is contractually tied into a rematch that is targeted for June.

But the fearless champion has a far bigger fight on his hands against blood-thirsty Vladimir Putin and his savages.

When asked by CNN if he is ready to kill for the cause, Uysk said: “If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it.

“But I don’t want that. I don’t want to shoot, I don’t want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice.

“Maybe, it’ll sound sentimental but my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honour belong to my country, to my family. 

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🔵 Read our Russia – Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates

Oleksandr Usyk was speaking to CNN from his basement in Kyiv
Usyk said he was ready to die for his country

“So there is no fear, absolutely no fear. There’s just bafflement. How could this be in the 21st century?”

Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn has been plagued with questions about the scheduled bout and done his best to be respectful and diplomatic.

But his recent suggestion that Usyk could start his training camp in a matter of weeks now sounds fanciful.

“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring,” the brave and devout southpaw said.

“My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt.”

But he confirmed that his genius boxing skills, tactical mind and nerves of steel are helping him in his darkest hours.

He said: “It has helped me to be calm and mentally prepared.

“And it helps me to help others who are panicking and nervous.”

Usyk flew to the UK to discuss the AJ rematch just days before the invasion and enjoyed a Chelsea vs Lille Champions League game in the VIP seats at Stamford Bridge on February 22.

And he explained how much his life and surroundings have changed in just a few terrifying days, as happy children could be heard close to him on the video link to the American news network.

In typically humane fashion he even reached an olive branch out to the innocent Russian people tyrant Putin pretends to be protecting with his illegal war.

And revealed he is putting on an even braver face for the people around him as they hope to survive the onslaught.

“The bombing around is crazy,” he said. “They just bombed the city of Mariupol, one of my friends got a rocket in his roof. The Russians (soldiers) are not playing games.

“Russian people don’t really know exactly what’s going on here. They’re not seeing what’s going on. They are victims of their president.

“When there is an air raid alarm, we hide. Of course, it’s fun when there are a lot of us here – we’re having fun. But we’re forcing ourselves to have fun.”

Anthony Joshua was beaten by Oleksandr Usyk back in SeptemberCredit: Getty

Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk

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