The general director of the promotion company K2 Promotions Ukraine Oleksandr Krasyuk told how and after that the Ukrainian WBA/WBO/IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs) finally decided not to postpone the rematch with Briton Anthony Joshua (24- 2, 22 KOs).
Recall that with the start of a full-scale invasion of Russian invaders into the territory of Ukraine, Usyk joined the ranks of the territorial defense and provided all possible assistance in the fight against the horde of invaders.
“It was very difficult for Usyk to leave Ukraine,” Krasyuk said in an interview.
24tv.ua. – The first day of the war found him not in Ukraine, he returned to Ukraine as best he could. On February 26, he was already in Kyiv. Immediately joined the ranks of the territorial defense. Again, he doesn’t like to be talked about, but he won’t talk about it himself. He patrolled his district, the region, also with guys like him.
“He has many friends of high-ranking officials in the Armed Forces of Ukraine – he talked to many and consulted on this matter,” says the promoter. – Never once did he hear: “No, no, Sasha. Stay in Ukraine. Do what you do, because it is necessary.” Without exception, all people said: “Sasha, get ready. You are a world-class mouthpiece. You can help Ukraine. You can convey to the world what is really happening. The more attention to Ukraine, the better for us. We need victories. You are a professional boxer so please mind your own business.”
- Expert admires Usyk’s legs
According to Krasyuk, “Usyk began to doubt whether it was really necessary to participate in this fight (with Joshua). The last straw was his trip to the hospital with wounded soldiers. More than once he did this in different regions of Ukraine. The last straw, it seemed, was when he arrived at the hospital in Lvov.”
“All the guys with severe injuries gathered, and all as one said that “we need your victory, go and fight. Speak to the world, demonstrate what you have to demonstrate. Let the anthem be played, let the flag fly.” This was the last straw, after which Usyk called by phone and already decided to start organizational work, ”the K2 CEO reproduced the picture of those days.
The rematch between Usyk and Joshua will take place in less than a week, on August 20 in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Russ Anber shared new details: “Usyk wanted to buy the rights, but the Saudis…”
- Oleksandr Usyk – Anthony Joshua: forecast and bets for the fight on August 20
