OLEKSANDR USYK has taken up arms in Ukraine’s desperate fight against Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
The 2012 London Olympic champion, undisputed cruiserweight king and September conqueror of Anthony Joshua for the WBA, IBF and WBO belts has joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence and slung a machine gun over his giant shoulder.
Oleksandr Usyk, second right, is joining the war effort in his homeland of Ukraine – on the left is Andrii Nebytov, the head of the Kiev Police
The 35-year-old father-of-three has joined best friend and two-time Olympic champ Vasiliy Lomachenko and legendary heavyweight brothers Wladimir and Kyiv mayor Vitali in swapping gloves for guns.
Usyk flew into London last week to watch Chelsea beat Lille on Tuesday night and visit Sheffield on Wednesday.
But the fearless southpaw flew straight back into the warzone and posted a string of emotional videos to Putin and the invading Russian hordes, before finally arming himself on Monday.
The AJ rematch, which promoter Eddie Hearn has been hoping to stage in late May or early June, now seems certain to be delayed.
But 32-year-old Joshua – who smashed Wladimir into retirement in 2017 – sent his support to Ukraine’s boxing fraternity fighting for peace in Eastern Europe.
“I have learned that sport and politics go hand-in-hand,” Joshua said.
“They have powerful voices and it is good that they are speaking up.
“They are not pushing for war, they are calling for peace. Good luck to them.”
Married father-of-three Usyk clearly has far more important things on his mind and he has appealed directly to the Russian people for help.
In an Instagram video the devout Orthodox Christian said: “Good morning to everybody. My name is Oleksandr Usyk. I’d like to speak to the people of Russia.
“If we consider ourselves as brothers, Orthodox ones, do not send your children to our country, do not fight with us.
“Also I’m addressing this to the President, Vladimir Putin. You can stop this war.
“Please just sit down and negotiate it with us without claims.
“Our kids, wives, grannies are hiding in the basements. We are here in our own country, we cannot do it any other way.
“We are defending. Stop this war, stop it. No War.”
Kyiv came through another night of siege as the brutal war between Ukraine and Russia enters day five.
It came as high level peace talks are expected to be held between Moscow and Kyiv on Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
Peace talks are expected to take place as Russia continues to invade Ukraine
Usyk easily beat Anthony Joshua to be crowned unified heavyweight champ
Anthony Joshua was at London’s o2 Arena on Saturday to watch some boxing
