Usyk erupts at a press conference in kyiv today.

[LomaUsykKlichko]

Usyk who is to fight russian Knyazev erupted today at spread conference today in Kyiv after he was asked a provocative political question.
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[LomaUsykKlichko]

I'll translated later because I have to go to work or any Russian speaking poster is welcome to do it

[Tom Cruise]

Out of interest did he erupt because he was asked a political question at a boxing press conference, or did he erupt specifically about the situation in Ukraine?

[LomaUsykKlichko]

Out of interest did he erupt because he was asked a political question at a boxing press conference, or did he erupt specifically about the situation in Ukraine?

I think a little of bit of both because he's form Crimea, and they specifically asked the journalist to not ask political questions

[PainfromUkraine]

Out of interest did he erupt because he was asked a political question at a boxing press conference, or did he erupt specifically about the situation in Ukraine?

In summary...

Journalist basically said that at this time with the current political climate any match-up between a Ukrainian and Russian athlete is more than 'just' a sporting event...

Usyk basically got pissed because he was told there would not be any political questions and that there are no politics involved in his point of view...

His team got pissed about the whole subject and are basically asking why the topic keeps getting brought up...

Usyk comes back saying the keys for an athlete are hard training, go to competitions, leave your all in your gym, love your brothers(team mates I guess), love your family, love your country, bring home medals...when your country's national anthem plays, when your country's flag is above your head, when the people rejoice...

Then he says why are you going into those DIFFICULT, HARD, AWKWARD corners....did you come here to ask me about politics or boxing??

Then he says he doesn't understand anything about politics! I can't say anything about it!

Basically he also says the WAR for him is in the ring, a battle of STRENGTH with FISTS...and that the path of an athlete is the hard work and dedication and what you do for your family and etc and not what the journalists are asking him about.

Basically i guess he just doesn't want to inflame a volatile topic and stays away from politics, good move if you ask me, it would be a waste of time - he should do as he does, focus on boxing and let others talk about the political elements or implications

[Weebler I]

Basically i guess he just doesn't want to inflame a volatile topic and stays away from politics, good move if you ask me, it would be a waste of time - he should do as he does, focus on boxing and let others talk about the political elements or implications

Agreed.

Incidentally, since he is with K2 why is Usyk not fighting in the US?

[Tom Cruise]

In summary...

Journalist basically said that at this time with the current political climate any match-up between a Ukrainian and Russian athlete is more than 'just' a sporting event...

Usyk basically got pissed because he was told there would not be any political questions and that there are no politics involved in his point of view...

His team got pissed about the whole subject and are basically asking why the topic keeps getting brought up...

Usyk comes back saying the keys for an athlete are hard training, go to competitions, leave your all in your gym, love your brothers(team mates I guess), love your family, love your country, bring home medals...when your country's national anthem plays, when your country's flag is above your head, when the people rejoice...

Then he says why are you going into those DIFFICULT, HARD, AWKWARD corners....did you come here to ask me about politics or boxing??

Then he says he doesn't understand anything about politics! I can't say anything about it!

Basically he also says the WAR for him is in the ring, a battle of STRENGTH with FISTS...and that the path of an athlete is the hard work and dedication and what you do for your family and etc and not what the journalists are asking him about.

Basically i guess he just doesn't want to inflame a volatile topic and stays away from politics, good move if you ask me, it would be a waste of time - he should do as he does, focus on boxing and let others talk about the political elements or implications

Thanks for the translation mate. Good answer from Usyk too

[John Locke]

Usyk is the real deal, I look forward to seeing him in some big fights. Talent wise he's one of the best in boxing, he just needs to prove he has the heart and mental toughness to make it as a top level pro.

[PainfromUkraine]

Agreed.

Incidentally, since he is with K2 why is Usyk not fighting in the US?

Well, he isn't going to fight in the US for now simply because no-one cares about the cruiserweight division in the States generally, I think Usyk said that himself in a recent interview when asked about fighting in the US. He knows its the Mecca of boxing and will definitely box there down the line, but it could be later on when he moves up to heavyweight (which he is very open to). He wants to beat the record for winning the CW title before the 12-fight mark set by Holyfield.

[Weebler I]

Well, he isn't going to fight in the US for now simply because no-one cares about the cruiserweight division in the States generally, I think Usyk said that himself in a recent interview when asked about fighting in the US. He knows its the Mecca of boxing and will definitely box there down the line, but it could be later on when he moves up to heavyweight (which he is very open to). He wants to beat the record for winning the CW title before the 12-fight mark set by Holyfield.

that's kinda b/s though, fans will watch any exciting puncher who murks the opposition, they'll become interested in the division if there's a killer in it