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      in Boxing

      Farce as 7ft boxing champ Valuev can’t find Russian army uniform that fits for Ukraine war as he needs size 16.5 boots

      by

      VLADIMIR Putin’s shoestring army is struggling to find a uniform big enough after calling up ex-boxer Nikolai Valuev to fight in Ukraine.The retired giant, 49 – the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history – stands at 7ft and wears size 16.5 boots.
      Retired heavyweight champ Nikolai Valuev has been called up to fight in Ukraine
      The 7ft giant is now an MP for Putin’s United Russia partyCredit: AFP
      Now army quartermasters have the task of trying to find some kit for the man mountain – now a pro-Putin MP.
      A Russian TV report on his call-up said: “They’ll have to try hard to find a uniform which fits MP Nikolai Valuev, who’s also received his call-up papers.
      “The former boxing world champion is 2m 13cm (7ft) tall. His feet are size 52 (UK size 16.5).”
      Jokers online suggested the army should also order an oversized bodybag if he is sent to the “meat grinder” conflict.
      READ MORE BOXING NEWS
      One said: “He’s a big target!”
      At his peak, he weighed 149kg, or almost 23 and a half stone.
      In 2010, Valuev’s doctor said he was treating him for “serious bone and joint problems”
      He was forced to undergo two operations that required six months on the sidelines and confirmed in 2013 that medical advice was the main reason he wouldn’t return to the ring.
      Most read in Boxing
      But that hasn’t stopped Putin’s army from calling him up for the disastrous war in Ukraine.
      In an interview with Russian state media last week, he said he had been handed his summons when he was in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
      Unlike his other parliamentary colleagues, he has been told to go to the military registration and enlistment office.
      “In my opinion, everyone has received a summons, I also received a summons,” he told Russian language publication Izvestia. “Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office now.”
      Speaking of his fellow MPs, he said: “My colleagues are good, they were registered for military service in the State Duma and received summons here, but I have to go home.
      “I received the summons right before my trip to Donbas, and I was not at home.”
      He added: “Next week I will definitely go and report to the enlistment office.”
      Valuev competed in the heavyweight category during his 16-year career between 1993 and 2009.
      He was World Boxing Association champion between 2005 and 2007, and again in 2009 before his points defeat to 6ft 3in Brit David Haye in the so-called “David Vs Goliath” fight.
      Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office nowNikolai ValuevEx-world heavyweight boxing champ
      After retiring, he went into politics and joined the Russian Duma parliament in 2011 as a member of the Putin-backing United Russia party.
      Such was his gargantuan size, a special chair had to be made for him to sit in.
      He has also dedicated the past decade to trying to prove the existence of the Russian “Bigfoot”, the Daily Star reports.
      Such was his obsession, that he even appeared on the 2013 Channel 4 series “Bigfoot Files” trekking through the Siberian wilderness.
      In 2011, he went on a separate mission to try and track down Bigfoot, as reported by an official Russian government press release.
      “Valuev did not manage to meet the yeti itself but on the way, he discovered ‘traces’ such as broken tree branches,” it read.
      “By the time they reached the cave, the expedition saw gigantic footprints, similar to a human’s.”
      It comes after ex-Everton and Russian footballer Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was called up to fight in Ukraine.
      The 37-year-old midfielder, who made 59 appearances for the Toffees between 2009 and 2012, last served in the military almost two decades ago.
      His dad Rinat confirmed that he had been called up, despite being two years over the official cut-off age for new recruits of 35.
      “Diniyar really received a summons,” he told Russian publication sports.ru.
      “It is difficult to talk about emotions, because he did not serve, although he did military service, but it was specific, with a sports bias. It was 19 years ago.
      “That is, yes, he took the oath, but served in the sports line.
      “The law still says – to call people up to 35 years old, and he is 37, so there is some kind of inconsistency here.
      “Now he will find out whether this agenda is correct or whether it was sent early. Anything can happen.”
      The news follows revelations that staff from Russia’s national football team have refused to turn home from a friendly match in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.
      Hundreds of thousands of young men have tried to flee from Putin’s mobilisation of 300,000 reservists.
      Anyone who has done compulsory military service could be drafted.
      Read More on The Sun
      On Friday, tyrant Vlad officially declare four Ukrainian regions as part of Russia.
      It means conscripts can now legally be sent to the war as well as contracted soldiers.
      Valuev retired in 2009 after a points defeat to 6ft 3in Brit David HayeCredit: Getty
      Valuev in the Russian parliament yesterday where he voted in favour of annexing four regions of UkraineCredit: Getty
      Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine FundPICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
      Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
      Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
      Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
      Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
      £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10
      Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
      The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.
      In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.
      For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund More

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      in Boxing

      Desperate Putin drafts 7ft boxing legend Nikolai Valuev, 49, to fight Ukraine after spending 10 years hunting Bigfoot

      by

      VLADIMIR Putin’s shoestring army has been forced to call up a 49-year-old former boxing World Champion to fight in Ukraine.Giant Nikolai Valuev, who stands at 7ft tall, is the tallest and heaviest world champion in boxing history.
      Retired Russian boxer Nikolai Valuev has been called up to fight in Ukraine
      The 7-foot giant is an MP for Putin’s United Russia partyCredit: AFP
      He retired in 2009 after being defeated by Brit David HayeCredit: Getty – Contributor
      At his peak, he weighed 149kg, or almost 23 and a half stone.
      After retiring in 2009, he went into politics and joined the Russian parliament or Duma in 2011 as a member of the Putin-backing United Russia party.
      Such was his gargantuan size, a special chair had to be made for him to sit in when he attended parliament.
      In 2010, Valuev’s doctor said he was treating the man mountain for “serious bone and joint problems”
      READ MORE BOXING NEWS
      He was forced to undergo two operations that required six months on the sidelines and confirmed in 2013 that medical advice was the main reason he wouldn’t return to the ring.
      But that hasn’t stopped Putin’s army from calling him up for the frontline in Ukraine.
      In an interview with Russian state media, he said he had been handed his summons when he was in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine.
      Unlike his other parliamentary colleagues, he has been told to go to the military registration and enlistment office.
      Most read in Boxing
      “In my opinion, everyone has received a summons, I also received a summons,” he told Russian language publication Izvestia. “Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office now.”
      Speaking of his fellow MPs, he said: “My colleagues are good, they were registered for military service in the State Duma and received summons here, but I have to go home.
      “I received the summons right before my trip to Donbas, and I was not at home.”
      He added: “Next week I will definitely go and report to the enlistment office.”
      Will I go? Of course, I will go to the enlistment office nowNikolai ValuevEx-world heavyweight boxing champ
      Valuev competed in the heavyweight category during his 16-year career between 1993 and 2009.
      He was World Boxing Association world champion between 2005 and 2007, and again in 2009, when he was defeated by Brit David Haye in the so-called “David Vs Goliath” fight.
      After retiring, the Daily Star reports that he has dedicated the past decade trying to prove the existence of the Russian “Bigfoot”.
      Such was his obsession, that he even appeared on the 2013 Channel 4 series “Bigfoot Files” trekking through the Siberian wilderness.
      In 2011, he went on a separate mission to try and track down Bigfoot, as reported by an official Russian government press release.
      “Valuev did not manage to meet the yeti itself but on the way, he discovered ‘traces’ such as broken tree branches,” it read.
      “By the time they reached the cave, the expedition saw gigantic footprints, similar to a human’s.”
      It comes after ex-Everton and Russian footballer Diniyar Bilyaletdinov was called up to fight in Ukraine, his father revealed.
      The 37-year-old midfielder, who made 59 appearances for the Toffees between 2009 and 2012, last served in the military almost two decades ago.
      His dad Rinat confirmed that he had been signed up to fight in Putin’s disastrous war in Ukraine, despite being two years over the official cut-off age for new recruits of 35.
      “Diniyar really received a summons,” he told Russian publication sports.ru.
      “It is difficult to talk about emotions, because he did not serve, although he did military service, but it was specific, with a sports bias. It was 19 years ago.
      “That is, yes, he took the oath, but served in the sports line. The law still says – to call people up to 35 years old, and he is 37, so there is some kind of inconsistency here.
      “Now he will find out whether this agenda is correct or whether it was sent early. Anything can happen.”
      The news follows revelations that staff from Russia’s national football team have refused to turn home from a friendly match in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, as hundreds of thousands try to flee from Putin’s partial mobilisation.
      Read More on The Sun
      Tomorrow, tyrant Vlad is set to declare four Ukrainian regions as part of Russia in a major rally in Moscow.
      The territories of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia, which make up around 15 percent of all of Ukraine, have held sham referendums in recent days over being annexed by Russia.
      Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine FundPICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears.
      Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund.
      Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded.
      Donate here to help The Sun’s fund
      Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles
      £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10
      Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile
      The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis.
      In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world.
      For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Vasiliy Lomachenko’s boxing return against Jamaine Ortiz CONFIRMED for October 29 in first fight since Ukraine war

      by

      VASILIY LOMACHENKO will make his boxing return on October 29 against Jamaine Ortiz. The former unified lightweight champion will enter the ring for his first fight since joining the front line defending Ukraine from Russia’s invasion.
      Vasiliy Lomachenko will make his boxing return on October 29 against Jamaine OrtizCredit: AP
      Lomachenko, 34, said:  “I love my sport, and I am so glad to be back.
      “My goal is to win the undisputed lightweight title, but I will not take Jamaine Ortiz lightly.
      “Madison Square Garden and Hulu Theater at MSG have been special places in my career, and I look forward to making more great memories on October 29.
      “I want to dedicate this fight to all my Ukrainian people. I wear the flag proudly every time I step in the ring.”
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      Lomachenko in February signed up to a territorial defence battalion amid Russia’s invasion on his homeland.
      He was offered the chance to challenge for the undisputed crown against George Kambosos Jr this year.
      But Lomachenko turned it down due to the ongoing war, with Devin Haney later defeating Kambosos.
      Promoter Bob Arum said: “Vasiliy Lomachenko is a credit to his country and the sport of boxing.
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      “When his country needed him, Vasiliy did not hesitate.
      “We are thrilled that he is safe and fighting once again at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, his home away from home.
      “Jamaine Ortiz is a young, hungry, undefeated fighter who understands that a victory over a living legend like Loma would be life-changing.”
      Lomachenko’s last fight came in December when he beat Richard Commey over 12 rounds.
      He is in line to challenge the winner between Haney and Kambosos’ rematch in June.
      Vasiliy Lomachenko beat Richard Commey in his last fightCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Vasiliy Lomachenko signed up to a territorial defence battalion More

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      in Soccer

      Furious Edin Dzeko set to boycott Bosnia’s clash against Russia while Miralem Pjanic is left ‘speechless’

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      BOSNIA have infuriated their most high-profile players by organising a friendly match against Russia.Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic have both spoken out against the staggering fixture.
      Edin Dzeko will boycott Bosnia and Herzegovina’s friendly clash against RussiaCredit: Reuters
      Miralem Pjanic is unimpressed with his country’s FA following the shock decisionCredit: EPA
      Russia are currently suspended from Fifa and Uefa competitions indefinitely following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
      But despite this, Bosnian football chiefs have agreed to play a friendly against them in St Petersburg on November 19.
      The match is set to take place on the eve of the World Cup, with neither team having qualified.
      But star striker Dzeko won’t be there.
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      The Inter Milan star told Klix: “I am against the playing of this match! I am always and only for peace.
      “The association knows my opinion!
      “Unfortunately, I am not the one who makes the decisions with whom Bosnia and Herzegovina will play, but I have my position which is clear and which does not include playing this match, while innocent people are suffering.
      “I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine in these difficult times for them.”
      Most read in Football
      Pjanic, who left Barcelona for Sharjah FC earlier this week, added: “The decision is not good. I am speechless.
      “In the national Football Association, they know what I think.”
      Russia haven’t played since a 1-0 defeat to Croatia on November 14 last year.
      Prior to Russia’s Fifa suspension, Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic all refused to play qualifiers against them.
      Mayor of Sarajevo Benjamina Karic, 31, was furious at the decision – even threatening to end the relationship between Government and the Bosnian FA.
      She tweeted: “Sarajevo as the city which has been under the longest siege from aggressors and me as a mayor strongly condemn the decision by the national Football Association to play a friendly match with Russia.
      “Unless the decision is reversed, we will cease cooperation with the Football Association, which so far has been fruitful.” More

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      in Soccer

      Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko hails powerful message as football returns to war-torn Ukraine

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      OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO will be watching as football resumes in Ukraine today – proud, defiant, but also a little worried.Arsenal star Zinchenko believes staging matches in his homeland for the first time since the Russian invasion in February will send an important message.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko says restarting football in Ukraine will show the country’s defiance.Credit: Getty
      But he acknowledges the danger that his compatriots will face simply by stepping on to the pitch.
      Ukraine international Zinchenko said: “It’s difficult for me to imagine how it’s going to be. 
      “If there are air-raid sirens, they are going to have to stop, so it’s going to be difficult. 
      “People are still suffering. We need to fight every single day. 
      Read More Football
      “I will be watching as many games as possible on TV.
      “It’s so important to show to the rest of the world that the Ukrainian people don’t give up, that in any situation they carry on.”
      No fans will be allowed and at least half of the 16 top-flight clubs in Ukraine will be unable to play at home, in some cases sharing stadiums in “safer” cities.
      But wherever they play, regulations require there to be an air-raid shelter for players, staff and match officials to escape to in the event of an attack.
      Most read in Football
      And that is a very real danger: today is Ukraine’s National Flag Day and Russia is believed to be planning military action on such a symbolic occasion.
      Shakhtar Donetsk players are accustomed to being away from Donetsk. The club has been exiled from the eastern city since pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass region proclaimed independence in 2014.
      But the current situation is on a new, horrifying level as the club prepares to contest the opening match of the new season against Metalist 1925 in the Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kyiv. at 11am UK time.
      Shakhtar striker Lassina Traore, a Burkina Faso international and cousin of Aston Villa forward Bertrand, is one of only two overseas players not to have left the club since the war began.
      Sometimes we were under shelling. Certainly, it was terrifyingYuriy VernydubHead coach of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih
      Traore said:  “Of course, I worry like everyone else, no one knows what is going to happen in the future. 
      “Now it is a little bit calm compared to the beginning, but the war is still going on.”
      No-one knows that better than Yuriy Vernydub, head coach of Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih.
      This time last year Vernydub was about to lead Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol into the Champions League group stage for the first time.
      His side would go on to pull off one of the competition’s great shocks by beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
      But when Russia invaded Ukraine in February, Vernydub left his team preparing for a Europa League match in Portugal to return home and join the army.
      Vernydub was sent to an artillery unit on the frontline in the south of Ukraine.
      He said: “It was tough work from dusk till dawn.
      “Sometimes we were under shelling. Certainly, it was terrifying, especially the first several times, but as time went on it became commonplace.
      “Currently I combine serving in the army and coaching. 
      “But If I receive an order to go back, I will immediately do it.”
      Yuriy Vernydub went from coaching in the CL to fighting on the frontline.
      Overseas football has shown solidarity with Ukraine, with foreign-based players like Zinchenko receiving strong support from crowds.
      And the resumption of the game in the country itself will make a powerful statement at home and abroad.
      Dynamo Kyiv vice captain Viktor Tsygankov said: “As football players, we have to accept the risk of playing when any minute a missile can be launched by Russian forces and land anywhere. 
      “At the same time, I know that thousands of Ukrainian soldiers at the front line are football fans. They protect our lives at the expense of their health, their lives, therefore we have to support them from our side.
      “I’ll be happy if football becomes the thing that helps the Ukrainian people to forget even for a couple of hours about the terrible things that are happening in our country. 
      Read More on The Sun
      “People in other countries are also struggling because of the consequences of this war. 
      “We must remind them that we are fighting not only for our freedom, which nobody can take from us, but probably for their future, too.” More

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      in Boxing

      Video messages from soldiers defending Ukraine from Russia are inspiring me to beat Anthony Joshua, says Oleksandr Usyk

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      OLEKSANDR USYK says messages from Ukrainian soldiers on the frontline fighting Russians is fuelling his mission to beat Anthony Joshua again.The WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world champion had to leave his beloved country under siege in March to accept the Saudi rematch.
      Usyk is bidding to defend his world titles against Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia this weekendCredit: Getty
      He is being inspired by video messages from Ukrainian soldiersCredit: Alamy
      Usyk, 35, has received countless videos and messages from his war-torn countrymen to spur him on for a repeat of last year’s epic win over Joshua in Tottenham.
      He said: “I am not motivated by the news, nor the war.
      “I am motivated by the people of Ukraine who are struggling hard to defend our independence, to defend our freedom and defend our culture that other people want to demolish and destroy, they don’t want us to exist anymore.
      “I am in touch with many guys from the frontline, military guys and soldiers.
      READ MORE IN BOXING
      “I receive voice and video messages from them with words of support and news that they are praying for me and for my victory.
      “They are holding their hands tight and praying for my victory and that motivates me.”
      Joshua, 32, hopes appointing new coach Robert Garcia will inspire him to reclaim his titles.
      But Usyk trumps that by having his nation’s No 1 in his corner as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is sending messages of support.
      Most read in Boxing

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      Usyk added: “It’s the real deeds of people that motivate me.
      “If the President of Ukraine had left in the first days of the war, it would have been a very bad thing that would leave the Ukrainian people without hope.
      “But he didn’t. That is what has motivated us to stand strong and fight.
      “I am pretty sure that if we had someone else as president that we would have not moved in the positive direction that we have.”
      Usyk spent some time on the frontline with his fellow UkrainiansCredit: Refer to Caption
      Usyk schooled Joshua in their first fight in London last yearCredit: Reuters
      Ukraine has been at war with Russia for six monthsCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua tells of his respect for rival Oleksandr Usyk for fighting on frontline during Ukraine war with Russia

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA has nothing but respect for rival Oleksandr Usyk ahead of their massive heavyweight showdown.Five months after Usyk stripped AJ of his WBA, IBF and WBO belts, the Ukrainian hero was defending his country on the frontline.
      Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk will renew their rivalry on SaturdayCredit: GETTY
      Slick southpaw Usyk outpointed AJ at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last SeptemberCredit: REUTERS
      Usyk has had to prepare for the rematch amid the backdrop of war in his native UkraineCredit: INSTAGRAM
      AJ has the utmost respect for Usyk defending his homelandCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The 35-year-old southpaw slung a machine gun over his shoulder to patrol 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 when injured victims in military hospitals urged him to head for Jeddah and win Saturday’s rematch for national pride.
      And Watford hero Joshua, 32, 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.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      “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.
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      “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.”
      Joshua was convincingly outpointed at Tottenham’s new stadium in September.
      So instantly snapping up the rematch just hours after the unanimous decision was a bold move.
      Saudi Arabia’s £80million offer to stage and control the event has held up proceedings.
      The Englishman said: “We looked at suitable dates for him and his team.
      “It was important for them to be ready rather than us forcing a date upon them.
      “I didn’t want us to say, ‘This is the date it has to be’. I wanted us to work together. That’s the way we show compassion.
      Joshua will be hoping for salvation in the Saudi desert next weekendCredit: GETTY

      🥊 AJ vs Usyk 2 date, live stream and TV channel for blockbuster rematch
      But Joshua was also compassionate enough to offer Usyk — who suffered a 22lb weight loss owing to stress in a Kyiv bunker — time to make the right decision for himself and his family.
      “He wanted to compete and defend the belts. It was scheduled for around June 11, then it changed for his and Saudi’s reasons.
      “But I feel like it has now worked out for everyone in the long run.”
      WBC champion Tyson Fury, 34, is expected to leap out of another supposed retirement to face the winner of the clash.
      The 6ft 9in Morecambe fighter has been rudely dismissive of Usyk’s threat to him, based on his old amateur days as a middleweight.
      And he has even accused the former undisputed cruiserweight king of using steroids to aid his undefeated climb up the weight classes.
      But the gap-toothed leftie revealed the Gypsy King did not dare insult him when they met in December 2021 at a New York show.
      Read More on The Sun
      When he was reminded of Fury’s jibes, Usyk said: “Of course, he never said it to my face. I want to laugh every time I watch him and listen to him.
      “He told me completely different things to my face — but I am not going to tell you what he told me. I know we are going to be fighting one day.”
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      in Boxing

      Inside Oleksandr Usyk’s life in Russian-occupied Crimea as he infuriated Putin by declaring loyalty to Ukraine

      by

      THIS year, Oleksandr Usyk prepared for the biggest fight of his life… but it wasn’t in the ring.Despite a scheduled money-spinning Anthony Joshua rematch, which finally takes place on August 20 in Saudi Arabia, the Ukrainian put his career on hold for a battle closer to home.
      Oleksandr Usyk is seen holding a machine gun after joining the war effort in Ukraine
      The fighter was born in in the Crimean city of Simferopol but is now based in Kyiv with his family.
      And Usyk put on his army fatigues and joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces in Kyiv back in February.
      In doing so, he was defending his country and seeking revenge for the Russians annexing his hometown of Simferopol in 2014.
      He wears the Ukrainian flags’ colours with pride in the ring.
      Wearing his heart on his gloves
      When Usyk outclassed Joshua at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last year, written on his gloves ‘Simferopol’ and ‘Ukraine’.
      As he celebrated a famous victory on points, he gleefully wore the yellow and blue flag on his shoulders.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}JOSH BOSH .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Joshua told to RUGBY TACKLE Usyk and make him a ‘sitting duck’ in Saudi rematch
      “The belts are going home,” Usyk said in an Instagram video shortly after the fight.
      While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Facebook to write: “Ukraine has reclaimed what belongs to it!”
      Usyk returned to Kyiv a hero, and declared his intentions to bring the belts home to Crimea to show them off to his coach.
      But this drew some criticism – with some Ukrainians questioning a belief he has shared that Russians and Ukrainians are “one people”.
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      Just months after outclassing Anthony Joshua, Usyk put a rematch on hold to fight for his countryCredit: Getty
      He also travelled to the front lines in eastern Ukraine to teach Ukrainian army soldiers how to box.
      It was, perhaps, a mystery where his loyalties lay – until just a few months ago.
      Ready for battle
      Clutching a machine gun, Usyk posed alongside his comrades, including Andrii Nebytov, the head of the Kyiv Police and revealed he had joined the army.
      The married father-of-three then took to social media to stand up to Putin.
      “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. 
      “Also I’m addressing this to the President, Vladimir Putin. You can stop this war. 
      After his famous win, Usyk proudly waved the Ukraine flag in the ringCredit: AP
      Usyk celebrates winning Olympic gold for Ukraine at the 2012 OlympicsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “Please just sit down and negotiate it with us without claims. 
      “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.”
      He was joined by boxing heroes the Klitschko brothers and Vasiliy Lomachenko in the battle.
      Reportedly, an infuriated Putin put a bounty on their heads.
      That meant the planned rematch with Joshua was delayed. But AJ supported Usyk’s decision, and championed the boxers sticking up for their country.
      “I have learned that sport and politics go hand-in-hand,” Joshua said.
      “They have powerful voices and it is good that they are speaking up.
      “They are not pushing for war, they are calling for peace. Good luck to them.”
      But that didn’t sit well with Chairman of the Crimean Parliament Vladimir Konstantinov, who stripped him of his honours with Crimea.
      Usyk has repeatedly called for an end to warCredit: Reuters
      Russian president Vladimir Putin has been slammed by UsykCredit: Alamy
      As reported by RIA, he said: “These are [people] who arranged and welcomed the water and energy blockade of Crimea, who question the fairness and legitimacy of our return to Russia, who stained themselves with Russophobia.
      “Such people are not worthy of a good memory.”
      Not only did returning home come at a price with his Crimea roots – it also affected his appearance.
      Usyk’s wife Yekaterina shared: “Oleksandr lost 10 kilograms in a week of the war. He was so horrified, in such shock, he was so torn apart…
      “He saw what I was doing. I said, ‘Sasha, please, people are asking, we must speak, somehow support.’
      “But it’s very difficult for him. But he still goes on the air, he says something. His position is clear. He has always been for Ukraine, he has always glorified it and will glorify it, as long as his health and strength last.”
      Back to training
      In March, Usyk was given permission to leave Kyiv and start training again for his rematch with Joshua.
      The pair will go head-to-head in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with the WBA, WBO and IBF championship belts on the line.
      But, despite everything he’s seen and knows, he won’t use the war in Ukraine as motivation for the blockbuster bout.
      “My friends and people close to me, they have died in the war. When so many people are suffering I don’t have any idea how it can influence anything positively,” Usyk said in a press conference last month.
      “I was there for one month and I saw with my own eyes what happened there… the rockets flying and fighter jets flying. It’s horrible.”
      He also chillingly spoke about death.
      “Every day I was there, I was praying and asking: ‘Please, God, don’t let anybody try to kill me.
      “Please don’t let anybody shoot me. And please don’t make me shoot any other person.”
      As he’s been away, Russian soldiers have ransacked his Vorzel home after using it as their living quarters.
      In March, Usyk returned to his training camp with his country’s blessingCredit: Alamy
      On August 20, Usyk will face off against Anthony Joshua in their rematchCredit: AFP
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      Whatever happens in the ring in the Middle East, nothing will compare to the atrocities of the war.
      And you can bet when that match is over, he will return to his homeland ready for a whole new battle. Defending his country. More