Oleksandr Usyk joined a territorial defense in Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion of his homeland on Monday.
The WBO, WBA, IBF, and IBO heavyweight champion of the world became the latest Ukrainian to take arms in the war, joining lifelong friend Vasiliy Lomachenko and Hall of Fame heavyweight champion brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.
In a video interview with CNN on Wednesday, Usyk spoke for the first time at length about his voluntary act of heroism, as well as his boxing future.
“Because it's my duty [to fight], to defend my home, my family,” Usyk said from a basement in Kyiv through a translation provided by his manager Egis Klimas. “It's not that I went to fight somewhere at the frontline. I'm defending my home. I'm defending my wife, my children, my close ones. There are many bastards out there who are trying to profit from this, looters. We're helping people. So what do you mean why? Because it's my duty. I have to do this, I'm a man.”
Usyk, a 35-year-old father of three, also gave a tour of his compound and living conditions.
“We cannot tell our locations at this point. Who knows? But my family is with me, my close ones, the children’s godparents, my parents, friends, all these people that ended up under some shelling,” he said. “It’s just that we have shelter now. Some people don’t have shelter. We have basements. When there is an air raid alarm, we hide there. There are a lot of us here. We all live at my home. 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.”
Usyk also explained the grim nature around his situation.
“I'm not afraid anymore. Actually, I'll tell you this. Maybe, it’ll sound sentimental, or something. But my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honor 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,” he said.
“If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to [take a life]. 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.”
Usyk had to take a circuitous route to get back to Ukraine. When the Russian invasion started Feb. 23, Usyk was in London. With airports closed and determined to get home, Usyk flew to Warsaw, Poland and drove nearly 500 miles to Kyiv.
“The bombing around is crazy,” said Usyk. “They just bombed the city of Mariupol, one of my friends got a rocket in his roof. [The Russians] 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 [Vladimir Putin].
Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) was in line for a rematch fight against Anthony Joshua later this year after scoring a unanimous decision against the Brit in September, but he’s putting his ascending career on pause for the time being.
“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring,” said Usyk. “My country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt.”
Usyk also added that boxing has helped him remain “calm and mentally prepared … and it helps me to help others who are panicking and nervous.”
Klimas told CNN that Usyk and his family are in big danger.
“When the bullets start flying, the bullet doesn’t care if you’re a world champion. The bullet just goes through,” said Klimas.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, via email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or on www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
