OLEKSANDR USYK broke down in tears as he revealed all about the agony of losing his “hero” father.
The 36-year-old Ukrainian currently holds the WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO heavyweight world titles after defeating Anthony Joshua for a second time in August.
Oleksandr Usyk is closing in on a unification fight with Tyson Fury
The Ukrainian broke down on The Overlap talking about his father’s death
He is now closing in on a mega unification bout with Tyson Fury, the WBC champion, with talks still ongoing.
Former Manchester United footy star Gary Neville recently travelled to meet up with the 20-0 boxer for his latest episode of The Overlap.
And the usually ice-cool Usyk struggled to contain his emotions as he discussed the death of his dad and how he nearly died as a child.
Usyk said: “When I was in year two at school, I got really ill – I had serious pneumonia. It was very bad. The doctor even told my mum that I might not survive.
“That illness lasted for a year. I’d spend two months in hospital, then two weeks at home, or a month in hospital then go home for a week.
“So, I went back and forth. So, from then, my grandma always took me to church and I found it interesting, I liked watching the service.
“I also liked the smell of frankincense. I would study the place carefully. I could pray alone. My family weren’t particularly religious, they didn’t really go to church.
“I also started doing press-ups, squats and running. That’s how my sporting journey started.
“There wasn’t much to do in the village and the only thing we had was football.
“So, I played football, rode horses, swam and improved my endurance by pouring cold water over me.
“But when we returned to Crimea in 2002 I started playing for a professional football team.
“I played with them until my father passed away, God rest his soul. He was the one who always motivated and forced me to train and study.
“Everything I have now is down to him. He put so much into me, taught me about priorities in life, which are family, sport and education.
“He was a military man, by the way. My mum hated it when he taught me how to fight with a knife. She’d shout ‘Sasha, he’ll grow up to be a criminal, what are you doing?’
“He’d be like ‘Get away, if he knows how to do it, he will never use it on others but when he needs to protect someone, that’s when he’ll use it.’”
Usyk then broke down in tears as he revealed his father was his hero and said: “I often think of him and miss him very much.
“He was already ill when I went to the Olympics in London.
“I was preparing for the finals, he didn’t call me prior to the finals or anything and we didn’t speak for a few days.
“When I won and got back to my hotel room, he called me. We talked on the phone for about an hour. We’d never spent an hour on the phone together before.
“It was as if he was saying his farewell to me.”
When Neville asked if he would be proud of his achievements, Usyk replied: “Very much so, but he never said it to me. He never told me that he loved me but I know that he told his friends that he did.
“I think this is because he grew up in the Soviet era where a man is supposed to be tough and shouldn’t show his emotions – the man is a rock and all that.
“I’ve never heard him say ‘I love you’ or anything like that. “Yes, I knew that he did, but I wanted him to say it.
“I wanted some kind of affection. Nevertheless, I really love him and will continue to love him.
“Every day I tell my sons that I love them and how cool they are. I tell them they are the best.
“I call them everyday to tell them, I just want them to know. But, as a father, I will provide them with everything they need.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average time it takes to become a professional fighter?
Professional boxing requires dedication and years of hardwork. A minimum of 10 hours per week is required to train to become a professional ring fighter.
What are the potential benefits of learning to Box?
The following are reasons why you should learn how to box.
- It builds confidence. You will be able to confront bullies and other bullies by learning to box.
- It can improve your health. Boxing builds muscle mass. Muscle mass makes you stronger.
- It teaches you self defense skills. You learn how fight and how to protect yourself.
- It improves your mental toughness. You need mental toughness to face difficult situations.
- You will feel proud of yourself. You’ll feel like a true boxer once you master a technique.
- It’s fun! Nothing is more fun than being punched in a stomach.
- It’s cheap. You only need a pair boxing gloves and punching bag.
- It doesn’t require much space
How to throw a jab:
Here’s a step-by, easy guide on how to throw a jab.
- With both feet, move forward
- Raise your arm above your shoulder.
- Bring your fist down towards your target.
- After hitting your target arm, lift your arm up.
- Continue with steps 1 through 4.
How to protect yourself
When you’re being attacked, you must always protect your head. You want to avoid being punched. To avoid being punched, you must learn how to stop an incoming punch. Here’s how to do it:
- Square your shoulders and stand tall.
- Keep your elbows straight up.
- Block the incoming punch with your forearm.
- Counterattack immediately.
- Continue blocking until the attacker runs away.
- Do not let up on your defense.
How can you box punches properly?
A punching bag is used for practicing boxing punches. The bag is used to practice boxing punches until you feel confident. Then you move onto another part of your body. Once you feel at ease with one area you will move on.
How can I improve my defense in fighting?
By learning to fight smart, you can improve the defense of your combative skills. You should be able defend against all attacks and also know how you can counterattack, if necessary.
If you don’t fight well, you will not be able to handle any situation. You’ll just get beaten up. However, if your fight skills are solid, you’ll be ready to face any challenge.
Here are some tips to improve your defense.
- Know where your opponent’s attack is coming from. This means you should pay attention to what your opponent is saying. You should pay attention to his body language. If he seems nervous, that could be an indication of his next attack.
- Be calm. Don’t panic. Instead, keep calm and be focused.
- Block with your arms. You can defend yourself against attacks by blocking with your arms.
- Counterattack. Counterattack.
- Fight dirty. Fighting dirty is another way of defending yourself. If you are being kicked by your opponent, you can respond by kick him back.
How much weight do I need to lift for a good workout?
You must lift weights if your goal is to increase strength. When lifting weights, there are some guidelines that you should follow. You should not overdo it. Try to lift heavier weights every day. Third, complete each exercise 8 times. Fourth, allow for 2 minutes rest between sets. Fifth, complete all exercises using no momentum. Focus on form and not speed.
Statistics
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
- You want to be running at roughly 75-80% of your top speed..5 mile slow, easy recovery jog at the end.[6]X Research source 2Mix in long runs, shadow boxing, and short sprints on non-interval days. (wikihow.com)
External Links
en.wikipedia.org
boxandflow.com
How To
How do you set up a Boxing Gym within your House?
A common question that people ask is how to set up a gym for boxing. Many people wonder how much money to spend on equipment, what space is necessary, how many staff they require, etc. There are many variables that influence the cost of starting a new business. Some of these factors are location, type and number of employees, budget, competition, etc. One thing most people overlook is the importance and value of good equipment. You can’t start if you don’t have the right equipment. Here are some suggestions to help you start a gym for boxing at home.
- You need to have somewhere you can train. You can use your garage, basement, spare bedroom, or living room to train. Only one requirement: There must be enough space for the equipment to be set up.
- A punching bag is essential. This is essential because it will make it easier to practice punches. It can be anything, from a lightweight plastic bag to an expensive leather bag. You should ensure that the bag is large enough to accommodate you comfortably. Make sure it’s durable and sturdy so you can use it over the years.
- You need a mat. Matting is used to protect floors or walls while practicing kicks. It is usually made of foam rubber. They can be bought online or offline stores.
- A bench is essential. You can use a bench to support your body when you are doing pushups. They can be purchased online or offline stores. However, make sure that you choose the right size for you.
- You need a speedbag. Speedbags help you develop quick hand movements. They can be purchased online or in stores. It is important to ensure that you purchase a product of high quality and lasting value.
- You need a headgear. Headgear is used to protect your head during sparring sessions. You can buy it from either online shops or offline stores. It is important to choose the right size and protection for your face.
- Gloves will be necessary. Gloves protect your hands during sparring sessions. You can purchase them online or in-store. Choose a pair that suits your needs and style.
- A mouthpiece is essential. Mouthpieces are used for protecting your teeth during sparring sessions. These are available online and in offline shops. Choose the pair that suits you best.
- You need a ring. Rings are used to simulate real fights. You can purchase them either online or offline. To ensure you aren’t hurt during sparring sessions, make sure it has padding on both ends.
- Towels are essential. To wipe your sweat off after every workout, use a towel. They can either be purchased at your local sporting good store or online. Be sure they are soft, absorbent, and comfortable.
