KYIV. UkraineGate . 2 . September . 2022 | Society.
WBA, WBO, IBF, IBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk spoke to Ukrainian journalists in Kyiv for the first time after his victory over Anthony Joshua .
The press conference in the capital of Ukraine was organized with the support of Usyk’s partner Parimatch Ukraine .
The boxer was in good spirits, joking a lot and admitting that he was happy to return home after almost 5 months of training camp.
– I am glad to return to Ukraine, thank God with victory. I have three main heavyweight belts in my collection, but I really want another WBC. Where he? The gypsies stole it, there’s a king there – that’s how Oleksandr Usyk hinted at a possible unification match against Tyson Fury, which the entire boxing world is actively talking about. Usyk dreams that this fight will take place in Ukraine. – I dream of a fight at “Olympiyskyi”. Although I think that it is unrealistic now. Even if everything is calm in Kyiv, he will not want to come here. He feels that the land gives strength here. Here, even our gypsies will be for me, not for him. Perhaps, if we hold the second battle, it will take place in Kyiv. It will be necessary to promise him something for this.
About the victory over Joshua
The Ukrainian won by split decision (113-115, 115-113, 116-112), but he said that Anthony Joshua did not surprise him.
– He was collected, wanted to catch me on a counterattack. He threw power punches, wanted to take my breath away, hit me on the body. He hit a little lower, in the groin.
It wasn’t easy, but I understood that you can’t give up, you can’t stop. I understood that it was not as difficult for me as some of the guys on the front lines. After round 9 I asked, “What round?”. I say to the coach: “Start?”. He says, “Begin.” Anthony was really swinging before this, it’s a good thing it happened that way.
If the fight with Fury does not take place, then perhaps we will agree on a third fight with Joshua. But already at NSC Olimpiyskiy.
About our own charity fund and collection for the Armed Forces
During the whole evening of boxing in Jeddah, the Usyk Foundation, with the support of Parimatch Ukraine and MEGOGO, collected UAH 17 million for the purchase of cars for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
– The fund has been operating since February 24. We had been planning to launch a charity project for a long time, but when the war started, we realized that we had to help the Armed Forces and the displaced people, everyone who helps Ukraine. A great team is working with me and we will do everything in our power to help the people affected by the war.
As for the funds collected during the match, they will be spent on cars for the Armed Forces, on drones, thermal imagers and other things that the boys need. We are also planning to purchase food kits. The foundation’s website has all the reports on our expenses, so you can check everything.
Source: Ukrgate