The anticipation for the fight between Oleksandr Usyk (19-0, 19 KOs) and Anthony Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs) is gathering pace. In recent days, several media outlets have reported that the heavyweight champion has left Ukraine to train for his rematch against the British fighter.
Usyk has received a lot of support in recent weeks following Russia’s invasion of his home country. While it was not clear that the Ukrainian would leave the country for the fight, it is now certain that he wants to dethrone Joshua at all costs.
Now, the Klitschko brothers have come out in support of the WBO champion.
“A very important message could be carried through an event like this,” said Vitali, who has been the mayor of Kyiv since 2014.
“We do not know if in three months we will exist.
“I actually have plans to speak to Oleksandr Usyk to give him advice if he decides to make the fight, to have some special messages that he can put out there.”
“There are pros and cons and it’s a hard decision to make for Oleksandr Usyk but to have the Ukrainian flag raised and our anthem played and one of our ambassadors of our country out there in the world with the right mindset could be more positive than negative,” Wladimir added.
“We need support. Since the beginning of the war, the economy is down to nothing, but please don’t forget we are defending democratic principles of freedom and free choice.”
Usyk on leaving Ukraine
Usyk, after initially joining Ukraine’s territorial defence force, eventually took the decision to leave his homeland in order to be able to properly prepare for his rematch with Joshua, after beating the Brit last September to take his heavyweight titles.
“I decided to start preparing for a rematch with Anthony Joshua,” Usyk said in a post. “A large number of my friends support me, all the rest of the good and peace.”
Marca
