Usyk returns home with all belts - How Ukraine welcomed their champion
Oleksandr Usyk returns to Ukraine (photo: Getty Images)
Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has returned to Ukraine after his triumphant victory in a rematch against British boxer Daniel Dubois. The legendary Ukrainian boxer brought home the complete set of heavyweight championship belts, according to photos and videos shared by Serhii Lesnik on Instagram.
"Just a few days ago, Usyk knocked out young Dubois in a spectacular fight at Wembley, in the very heart of London. Once again, he confirmed his status as the undefeated world champion across all boxing federations. This was, is, and will remain a great victory for us, for every Ukrainian. During wartime, we need such victories. They are a chance to remind the world of the Ukrainian spirit," Lesnik wrote.
"Today, I had a God-given opportunity to meet the champion and thank him for the victory, to shake his hand, and to take a photo as a keepsake. I promised myself I'd attend his next fight. We pray and believe that just like Dubois went down, one day Putin will be knocked out by our champion, the Armed Forces of Ukraine," he added.
The family of FC UCSA president meets champion Oleksandr Usyk (photo: instagram.com/lesnik_ucsa)
How Usyk defeated Dubois
As a reminder, on the night of July 20, at the legendary Wembley Stadium in London, Oleksandr Usyk left no chance for Daniel Dubois.
The fight, which headlined the boxing evening, ended early. In the fifth round, the Ukrainian landed a powerful series of punches that knocked out the British fighter, putting an end to all questions about who the stronger boxer was.
This victory allowed Usyk not only to defend his WBA, WBO, and IBO titles, but also to take the IBF belt from Dubois—thus once again unifying all the major titles in the division.
For the Ukrainian, this marked his third time becoming an undisputed champion in his career (once in cruiserweight and twice in heavyweight), which is a unique achievement in modern boxing.
What's next: Challenges, mandatory defense, and surprise offers
Immediately after the victory, a whirlwind of potential challenges and obligations began to form around Usyk.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) wasted no time and officially named Usyk's next opponent. It will be a mandatory challenger, Joseph Parker from New Zealand, with whom the Ukrainian must defend his title.
After the fight, the champion named his preferred opponents, which, in addition to Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Parker, unexpectedly included veteran Dereck Chisora, who expressed a desire to fight Usyk in Ukraine.
The most exotic moment came when popular blogger and boxer Jake Paul issued a challenge. Usyk faced off with him in a staredown and even expressed readiness to meet the American in a cage under MMA rules, causing quite a stir in the media.
Earlier, we wrote that Usyk may be stripped of the IBF title.
