By Huck Allen: Oleksandr Usyk has joined the Ukrainian defense battalion in response to the Russian invasion of his native Ukraine, making his rematch with Anthony Joshua very much in doubt.
IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Usyk (19-0, 13 KOs), Vasily Lomachenko, and the Klitschko brothers are defending their Ukraine in response to the recent Russian invasion.
In an interview with CNN, Usyk clarifies that his country & honor are more important than him defending his three world title belts.
Recently, Usyk had been in the planning stages for a lucrative rematch against former three-belt champion Joshua (24-2, 22 KOs), but that fight now is uncertain.
If the Russian-Ukraine war turns out to be a protracted one lasting many months or longer, Joshua and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, will need to look in another direction.
2012 Olympic gold medalist Usyk says it’s more important to defend his country than his world titles.
As a result, the three sanctioning bodies could soon have a decision to make on whether to strip Usyk or give him a champion in recess tag so that their belts can be freed up for Joshua and other heavyweights to fight for.
In that case, Joshua, if he’s focused on winning back his titles, would battle for one of the titles against the highest-ranking available contender.
For Hearn & Joshua, it could be a positive in some respects that Usyk isn’t available to fight him right now. It gives Joshua more time to rebuild his game and make improvements to gear up for a rematch when Usyk is available to fight him.
“I don’t know when I’ll be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honor are more important to me than a championship belt,” said Usyk to CNN. “The bombing around is crazy. They just bombed the city of Mariupol, one of my friends got a rocket in his roof. [The Russians] are not playing games.”
“Russian people don’t really know exactly what’s going on here. They’re not seeing what’s going on. They are victims of their President [Vladimir Putin].”
De La Hoya respects Lomachenko & Klitschkos
“Usyk, Klitschko brothers, Lomachenko, they’re very valiant, courageous young men that fight for their country,” said Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya to Fight Hub TV. “They’re fighters, they’re proving it inside and outside of the ring.
“Ukraine is going through some tough times, and it’s sad this has to happen, but it shows you their character. It shows you the fighter’s heart. They’re willing to risk their lives for their country, for their family, for their friends.
“They’re the representation of what a fighter is, you know? They’re a representation of what boxing is. We’re a sport where we fight for each other. It’s commendable, but be careful out there.
“F*** no,” said De La Hoya when asked if he would ever do what Usyk, Lomachenko, and the Klitschkos are doing in volunteering to fight in a war. “Who knows when you’re in a battle, and you want to defend your country, maybe but s***, wow!
“It’s so much respect to be fighting for their country. What they’re doing is incredible.
Oscar wants Kambosos vs. Ryan Garcia in 2022
Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko and IBF/WBA/WBC Franchise/WBO lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. had been in negotiations for a fight on June 5th in Australia. However, Lomachenko situation might not be available to take that fight due to him joining the Ukrainian defense battalion.
With Lomachenko potentially unavailable for the Kambosos fight in June, De La Hoya says he wants to put together a fight between his young star Ryan Garcia and the four-belt lightweight champion.
Ryan will need to win his April 9th fight against Emmanuel Tagoe in San Antonio, Texas, before a match can be set up between him and Kambosos, but it remains a viable option.
“Kambosos is fighting soon, he’s fighting in Australia, and everything goes well for Ryan [Garcia against Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9th], I’m willing to sit down with [Kambosos’s promoter] Lou DiBella and maybe possibly even flying over to Australia to watch Kambosos fight and support him and hopefully strike a deal or something.
“From the looks of it, Lomachenko, who knows what’s going to happen? Is he going to be prepared on time? Is he going to be able to train and have a proper training camp? You just never know,” said De La Hoya.