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    I’m a fully-fledged fighting man – Tommy Fury denies he’s ‘YouTube boxer’ and blasts Jake Paul’s ‘ludicrous’ claims

    TOMMY FURY has denied being a ‘YouTube boxer’ – instead describing himself as ‘a fully-fledged fighting man’. Fury, brother to legendary British heavyweight Tyson, is 7-0 as a boxer but shot to widespread fame for his stint on Love Island in 2019.
    Tommy Fury has denied being a ‘YouTube boxer’Credit: Getty
    His profile was also set to skyrocket further when he signed to face social media sensation Jake Paul.
    But Fury, 22, was forced to pull out after suffering a broken rib and bacterial chest infection.
    Paul, 25, accused his rival of faking the injury to avoid risking his reputation in the all-celebrity bout.
    So Fury hit back to deny the claim and insisted he will push ahead with his boxing career – with or without fighting the American.
    He told EsNEWS: “I think it’s ludicrous, I think he’s using my injury as a play point like, ‘He didn’t want the fight’. When really, it was a genuine injury.
    “I broke a rib and had a major, major chest infection and I just wan’t fit to fight, professionals cleared me as not fit to fight.
    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    “He’s just playing on that, but at the end of the day he knows where the big fight’s at – it’s here.
    “He knows where the hundreds of thousands of people are at – it’s here.
    “So if he wants to go and fight another MMA kid in Ohio somewhere, let him crack on. But I know we’re onto bigger and better things.” 
    Fury would have been Paul’s first opponent with a professional boxing record.
    The 5-0 internet personality has so far only beaten a YouTuber, NBA player and two former UFC fighters.
    Fury still hopes to reschedule the grudge match and believes a statement win on brother Tyson’s undercard on April 23 could do the trick.
    I’m a boxer, I’m not a YouTube boxer or anything like that, I’m a fully-fledged fighting man.Tommy Fury
    He said: “That fight I look to see at the end of the year.
    “My plan is to get a good win on this undercard. At the end of the day, Jake Paul knows where it’s at.
    “We’re onto bigger and better things, I don’t know what Jake Paul’s doing, but we’ve just done 100,000 at Wembley.
    “I’m looking to get a good win on the undercard and move on with my career.
    “I’m a boxer, I’m not a YouTube boxer or anything like that, I’m a fully-fledged fighting man.
    “Whatever Jake Paul decides to do, he decides to do, I’m not interested.”
    Tommy Fury pulled out of fighting Jake Paul with a broken ribCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Kamaru Usman savages Jake Paul after YouTuber’s boxing match proposal saying he only wants a ‘real fighter’ like Canelo

    KAMARU USMAN has dismissed the possibility of fighting Jake Paul.The UFC welterweight champion has been linked with a crossover boxing match against the Problem Child.
    Kamaru Usman dismissed the idea of taking on Jake Paul in the boxing ringCredit: Getty
    But Usman, 34, now insists that he has his sights set on bigger things.
    Asked by a fan if he’d consider facing Paul, Usman insisted that if he was going to switch to boxing, he’d only do it for a ‘real fighter’.
    He said: “What? Boo this man one time.
    “Listen, listen, if we’re going to fight, we’re going to fight a real fight.
    “I’m going to answer your question, if we’re going to fight, we’re going to fight a real fighter. A real fighter.”
    When talk of a potential bout between Paul and Usman was raised last year, the Nigerian ominously tweeted: “I understand you think this is a game which is probably why you don’t realise that this is how people truly get hurt.”
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    YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, 25, called out the UFC welterweight championCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Paul, 25, then responded: “Challenge accepted… if your boss Dana [White] gives you permission to box me and make more money than you ever have, let me know and we can lace them up.
    “I promise it will be your biggest pay day.”
    After being dismissed this time around by Usman, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions tweeted: “Just another UFC fighter who signed a bad deal and now trying to make a real payday. He called out JAKE in May of last year.”
    Usman, however, has outlined how he really sees his year playing out.
    He told TMZ: “In 2022 I’m going to shock the world. July, International Fight Week, I’m gonna fight Leon Edwards.
    “God willing I get through Leon Edwards, September, Mexican Independence Day, I will stop Canelo Alvarez.
    “Absolutely I see myself winning the fight, everything can’t be done until it’s done. We’re talking nine figures, for sure.”
    Usman would like to take on pound-for-pound king Canelo Alvarez insteadCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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    Anthony Joshua hangs out with Birmingham City pal Troy Deeney as he prepares for fight against interim opponent

    ANTHONY JOSHUA was snapped hanging out with footballer friend Troy Deeney as he awaits his return to the ring.The former world heavyweight champion was planning to rematch Oleksandr Usyk in the first half of 2022 as he looks to avenge his defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in September of last year.
    This photo of the pair was posted on social mediaCredit: Instagram @t_deeney
    But Usyk is now serving on the front line for Ukraine as they fight off Vladimir Putin’s Russian invasion.
    And Joshua could take an interim bout while he waits for a second shot at the Ukrainian champion.
    On Friday though, he took some time away from training to hang out with Birmingham City striker Deeney.
    Deeney, who regularly writes a column for SunSport, spent 11 years playing at Watford – the hometown of boxer Joshua.
    They met in a barbershop when they were both having their hair trimmed.
    And the pair were pictured chilling with one another as they enjoyed some downtime, with Joshua captioning a photo of the two: “Deeney in the building.”
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    To which Deeney responded: “Boss man appreciate the hospitality,” before adding: “Always vibez with the big fella (sic.)”.
    Meanwhile, earlier this week Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed for the first time that they were open to taking another fight before the Usyk rematch.
    Speaking on The MMA Hour, Hearn said: “It’s difficult to speak on behalf of Oleksandr Usyk.
    “Firstly, my thoughts are with everybody in Ukraine and people showing incredible bravery out there, particularly some of the great fighters of the past and Oleksandr as well.
    “He can have the time that he needs. We [Joshua’s camp] don’t want any other fight but Oleksandr Usyk.
    “Whether there’s a delay for that fight and we have an interim bout, I guess that’s subject to the situation with Oleksandr Usyk and how much time he needs.
    “It’s a very emotional time and personal time for the people of Ukraine. So we’ll respect them and give them all the time, but we wouldn’t be looking to get out of our obligation, is what I’m saying.
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    “The only fight AJ wants right now is Oleksandr Usyk. If we have to fight in between, no problem at all, but we’ll respect this time for Oleksandr Usyk and speak to his advisers.
    “If there needs to be a delay for the contractual period, we will be happy to grant that, but we want that fight.
    “We don’t want that obligation to slide away.” More

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    Eddie Hearn says Amir Khan is set to invoke Kell Brook rematch clause but talks for Conor Benn vs Special K are ongoing

    AMIR KHAN is set to exercise his right to a rematch with Kell Brook, but Special K has his eyes on a bout with Conor Benn.Khan and Brook finally met in February after two decades worth of conflict.
    Brook defeated Khan with a sixth round TKOCredit: Rex
    Brook now has his sights set on a fight with Conor BennCredit: PA
    Brook dominated the fight from the start and was declared the winner in the sixth round with a technical knockout.
    Many fans expected Khan to hang up his gloves for good following the defeat, but he has since declared that he wants a rematch.
    However, Brook has his sights set elsewhere as it has been announced that he is in talks to fight welterweight champion Conor Benn.
    He is demanding a huge fee to fight the star.
    When speaking to iFL TV, Eddie Hearn said: “I don’t want to tell you what he asked for but it was slightly OTT.
    “I have heard, actually, that Amir Khan is going to invoke the rematch clause, bizarrely.
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    “People have already been contacting us to ask if we’d like to pay a step-aside for them not to invoke the rematch clause.
    “No, you are alright thanks! You go and do Khan-Brook II and we’ll crack on.
    “I told Conor Benn the other day that ‘you are a young superstar and don’t worry about basing your career around someone else, don’t worry about trying to land this payday – everything is going to come for you.’
    “We will crack on with his career and his next fight will be announced for April 16 and we’ll be ready for a huge show for Conor Benn.”
    Hearn has not disregarded the idea of a bout between the two, and has admitted he would like to see the pair meet one day.
    He added: “We will carry on talking to Kell Brook as we’d love to make the fight.
    “But what we said to Kell Brook and his training team is that if they want to fight in June or July then we won’t fight in April.
    “I think if Kell Brook stays out of the ring for a long time then he won’t fight again, so that is what we were trying to do.
    “It’s no big deal and we’ll carry on talking to try and get it made.”
    Khan has around one week to officially activate the rematch clause.
    He put his loss to Brook down to the fact that he ‘underestimated’ his opponent. More

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    Is Deji vs Alex Wassabi on TV? UK start time, live stream, channel and undercard for huge YouTube fight

    YOUTUBE sensation Deji returns to ring action as he fights social media star Alex Wassabi in a highly anticipated grudge match.Deji hasn’t stepped foot in the ring since last summer when Vinnie Hacker secured a three-round TKO victory against the 25-year-old.
    Deji lost to YouTuber Jake Paul in 2018 on the undercard of KSI vs Logan PaulCredit: Reuters
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    And this was following a fifth round loss courtesy of Jake Paul back in 2018 on the undercard of KSI vs Logan Paul.
    But now, KSI’s little brother is hoping to prove to his 9.8 million subscribers that he can bounce back from losing his “Battle of the Platforms” bout.
    However, challenger Wassabi previously announced that he had been training for years which makes it an intriguing match-up.
    When is Deji vs Alex Wassabi?

    Deji’s big return to boxing against Wassabi is scheduled to go ahead on Saturday, March 5.
    The event will take place at the SSE Arena, Wembley in London.
    Showstar Boxing will promote the event, which should get underway from around 6pm UK time.
    But the main event of Deji vs Alex Wassabi is likely to get going later in the night at around 9pm.

    What TV channel is it on and can it be live streamed?

    Unfortunately, Deji vs Alex Wassabi will not be broadcasted on UK television.
    However, all the action will be available to watch on Showstar’s own pay-per-view stream.
    Tickets for the show are available and priced between £36-£146 at Ticketmaster.

    Deji vs Alex Wassabi fight card

    Deji vs Alex Wassabi
    King Kenny vs Faze Temperrr
    Vitaly vs Kristen hanby
    Armz Korleone vs Minikon

    .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Boxing.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    What has been said?
    Deji has said: “I’m going to be fighting main event on the Showstar UK vs USA event at the Wembley SSE Arena.
    “Alex Wassabi, you desperate f***er. You got your wish, I’m going to bury your already dead career.
    “You ran from my bro but there’s no escaping me – I’m going to put you to sleep on that canvas, March 5th.
    “I want to see all my fans there.”
    Alex Wassabi replied: “That’s his mindset, it’s all mental with him and it’s hard to talk about because I want this to be a good fight.
    “I would rather win a decision than win by first round knockout because I want it to be an epic battle – this is my first fight!” More

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    Guillermo Rigondeaux ‘loses 80 PER CENT of his vision’ after suffering horror eye injury in freak cooking accident

    GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX has lost a significant amount of his vision after a freak cooking accident.The 41-year-old former world champion – who fought Vasyl Lomachenko in 2017 – was cooking at his Miami home last week when the contents of a pressure cooker blew up in his face.
    Former world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux lost to Vasyl Lomachenko in round six in their 2017 boutCredit: AP
    Manager Alex Bornote told Florida-based Spanish daily the El Nuevo Herald that Rigondeaux was left with only 20 per cent of his vision after the horror incident.
    But he added that the Cuban remains hopeful that tests will show he can recover.
    Rigondeaux could now require a lengthy surgery.
    Bornote told the El Nuevo Herald: “It really is an unfortunate thing.
    “When the pot exploded and we saw how Rigondeaux was left, we thought the worst, because his face and eyes looked very bad as a result of the impact of the explosion. But we hope that he will recover.”
    Rigondeaux last fought on February 26 but he lost to Vincent Astrolabio.
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    He also boasts a professional record of 20-3-1.
    Rigondeaux also picked up gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Summer Olympics.
    His amateur career was equally impressive, having 386 fights under his belt. with a record of 374 wins and 12 losses.
    An astonishing 374 of those bouts were wins and he lost just 12 times. More

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    Klitschko brothers reveal ‘kill count’ as defiant heavyweight champions say they are ‘ready to die’ to save Ukraine

    BOXING brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko have revealed their “kill count” and claim they are prepared to die for Ukraine.The two former heavyweight champions are currently defending Ukraine’s capital Kyiv – where Vitali is the mayor – against Russian invasion.
    Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko said they are prepared to die for UkraineCredit: Reuters
    Ukrainian forces are reportedly seeking out separate Russian groups within the capital and the iconic brothers are doing their part in the fight.
    Vitali, 50, told Sky News that he and Wladimir, 45, “killed some people, I guess six people last night”.
    And the elder brother defiantly claimed they were “ready to die for their home” and showed no fear of Russian forces when talking to CNN.
    He said: “We’re not interested in how strong the Russian army is, we’re ready to fight.
    “And we’re ready to die for our home country and for our families because it’s our home.
    “It’s our future and somebody wants to come to our home and steal our future from us.”
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    The ring legends recently sent out a video message asking for the international community to make a stand together against “Russian aggression”.
    Wladimir said: “I’m calling to all international partners to observe this tragedy that is happening nowadays in Ukraine and this senseless war which is not going to have any winners or losers.
    “I just want to tell you we must stay united against this aggression, this Russian aggression.
    “Don’t let it continue happening in Ukraine, don’t let it happen in Europe and eventually in the world. United we’re strong. Support Ukraine, thank you.”
    Recently it was reported that the Klitschko brothers were on a Russian “kill list” of senior Ukrainians.
    Fellow Ukrainian heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has also taken up arms in the fight against Russia.
    He told CNN: “‘I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring.
    “My country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt.’
    The boxing legends are determined to defend their homeland should Russia invade
    The brothers have claimed to have killed six Russian invaders so farCredit: AP More

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    Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk vows to fight Russia to the death and says ‘I have a gun. If I have to kill, I’ll do it’

    BOXING ace Oleksandr Usyk has vowed to fight Russia to the death and claims he “has a gun” and isn’t afraid to kill “if he has to.”The 2012 London Olympic champion and undisputed cruiserweight king has taken up arms as part of the Kyiv Territorial Defence.
    Oleksandr Usyk said he is prepared to fight Russia to the deathCredit: Instagram / @usykaa
    The 35-year-old father-of-three has joined best friend – and two-time Olympic champ – Vasiliy Lomachenko and legendary heavyweight brothers Wladimir and Kyiv mayor Vitali in swapping gloves for guns.
    And the boxer sent a chilling message this week in which he said he was prepared to commit murder and even die if the Russians evaded on “the lives of my close ones.”
    “If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it,” Usyk told CNN on Wednesday.
    “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.
    “So there is no fear, absolutely no fear. There’s just bafflement — how could this be in the 21st century?”
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    On Monday, a picture emerged of him prepped for battle with a machine gun swung round his shoulder as he received the backing of Brit rival Anthony Joshua – who he is due to face later this year.
    Usyk said he was unsure when he would return to the ring, adding: “My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt.”
    It came as the Ukrainian, who is devout Orthodox Christian, appealed directly to the Russian people for help.
    In a heartfelt Instagram video posted last week he said: “Good morning to everybody. My name is Oleksandr Usyk. I’d like to speak to the people of Russia.
    “If we consider ourselves as brothers, Orthodox ones, do not send your children to our country, do not fight with us.”
    He also sent a direct message to President Putin calling for end to war and for peace.
    “Please just sit down and negotiate it with us without claims,” he added.
    “Our kids, wives, grannies are hiding in the basements. We are here in our own country, we cannot do it any other way.
    “We are defending. Stop this war, stop it. No War.”
    Usyk has called for peace but said he is prepared to kill to protect his love onesCredit: PA
    The Ukrainian has joined the war effort as part of the Kyiv Territorial DefenceCredit: Instagram @andrii_nebytov More