Oleksandr Usyk always has his daughter’s soft toy with him.
Oleksandr Usyk will face Anthony Joshua on Saturday. PDO
Heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk will face British Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring this weekend.
Usyk, 35, was in Ukraine in the spring fighting at the front of Russia’s expanded war of aggression in the country. However, the Ukrainian striker left the front to prepare for the encounter with Joshua.
Almost six months ago, he and his family left Ukraine, after which they parted ways. The family stayed in Europe, Usyk went to a training camp in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk’s 12-year-old daughter Yelizaveta gave his father his stuffed toy before the boxer left.
– That’s my daughter, that’s my talisman. We bought it when we were all at Disneyland in Paris, Usyk said of The Sun by.
– When we left Ukraine together and our paths diverged in Europe, my daughter gave this to me and told me to always keep it next to me. It sleeps with me, is always close to me, and he told me to take it with me to the media event as well.
According to Usyk, the name of the soft toy is Eeyore.
– I don’t know if I will take it into my corner. She’s a lady, so she might be scared, but she’s in my dressing room.
Friends stayed at the front
Usyk was encouraged to leave the front and take Ukraine to the world through sports. He said he hated the idea of leaving, but decided to leave the country after being convinced by his wife, wounded soldiers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi.
Usyk has received updates about the war every day.
– Some of my friends, army guys, returned from their missions safely. Their tasks were very complicated and dangerous, but they succeeded in them.
– We have heard fewer explosions and seen a decrease in enemy activity, which can be considered positive news from our point of view.
Usyk plans to return to Kyiv after the match. First, however, he plans to see his children and his mother, who are safe in Europe.
Usyk defeated Joshua in the previous meeting between the boxers in September of last year. The two will step into the ring next Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
Usyk left the front in March to return to the boxing ring. PDO