Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury to retain the WBA (Tremendous), WBO and WBC world heavyweight titles in Riyadh, saying the boxer embodied the combating spirit of Ukrainians.
Undefeated Usyk, who took Fury’s WBC belt of their first bout in Could, beat the British two-time world champion within the rematch by unanimous resolution, handing him the second lack of his skilled profession.
“Victory! So vital and so wanted by all of us proper now,” Zelenskyy, who had led Ukraine in its warfare with Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbour in 2022, wrote on X.
“By defending his championship belt, Oleksandr Usyk proves: We’re Ukrainians and we won’t hand over what’s ours! Regardless of how arduous it will get – we are going to overcome all the pieces.
“Whether or not it’s within the ring, on the battlefield or within the diplomatic enviornment – we are going to battle and we won’t hand over what’s ours! Congratulations in your victory, Cossack! Congratulations in your victory, Ukraine!”
Former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, who enlisted within the Ukrainian army reserves earlier than Russia’s invasion, was on the Kingdom Area to witness Usyk’s victory.
“Ukraine is lucky to have you ever. You are a real standard-bearer of our resilience … glory to Ukraine,” Klitschko wrote on X.
