Reigning IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight champion Usyk returned to his homeland after the Russian invasion on 24 February where he immediately joined the Kyiv territorial defence forces.
The 35-year-old is one of a number of stars of Ukrainian boxing to take up the fight with pound-for-pound star Vasiliy Lomachenko also joining defence forces in his hometown with the legendary Klitschko brothers vowing to take up arms.
Lomachenko’s promoter Arum has hailed the heroism of the fighters and while he does not promote Usyk, he counts the former cruiserweight king as a close friend.
Providing an update on Lomachenko, Arum explained his fighter is not currently in immediate danger as he is based in his hometown outside of Odesa. The Russian invasion has not yet reached the port city but it is believed to be a prime target due to its strategic position on the Back Sea.
Having kept in almost daily contact with Egis Klimas, who manages both Lomachenko and Usyk, Arum is more concerned for the heavyweight champion who is based near Kyiv. The outskirts of the Ukrainian capital has been pounded by artillery in recent days, with rockets destroying several residential blocks and a city bus yesterday.
‘The Russians wherever they go in the Ukraine are shelling citizens at random,’ Arum told Fight Hub.
‘His [Lomachenko] village is about 15 miles north of Odesa. And from the reports, Russians are contemplating an amphibious landing in Odesa which is a major port city. In which case he would be in considerable danger.
‘But right now they haven’t gone into Odesa yet. The fighter who is in tremendous danger is Oleksandr Usyk because his house is in a suburb of Kyiv and that is being shelled as we speak.’
Lomachenko and Usyk are two of boxing’s biggest names and both were expected to fight in huge contests in the spring and summer. Three-weight world champion Lomachenko was set to fight George Kambosos Jr in Australia in a bid to reclaim his lightweight titles while Usyk was set to meet Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight title rematch.
Both bouts are in serious jeopardy however with Arum backing their decisions to stay and defend their country.
‘I would never suggest that a man leave his country when he feels he has an obligation to defend it,’ Arum said. ‘To do that would be contrary to how I would act and I think that would be wrong, I would never suggest that.
‘I’m just very proud of him and Oleksandr for taking the position they have regarding the defence in Ukraine.’
MORE : ‘Let him handle what he is handling at the moment’ – Anthony Joshua reluctant to discuss Oleksandr Usyk fight amid talk of delay
MORE : Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol pleads for peace and sends message to Ukrainian fighters Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko
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