Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury to retain the WBA (Tremendous), WBO and WBC world heavyweight titles in Riyadh, saying the boxer embodied the combating spirit of Ukrainians.
Undefeated Usyk, who took Fury’s WBC belt of their first bout in Might, beat the British two-time world champion within the rematch by unanimous determination, handing him the second lack of his skilled profession.
“Victory! So necessary and so wanted by all of us proper now,” Zelenskyy, who had led Ukraine in its conflict with Russia since Moscow invaded its neighbour in 2022, wrote on X.
“By defending his championship belt, Oleksandr Usyk proves: We’re Ukrainians and we won’t quit what’s ours! Regardless of how laborious it will get – we are going to overcome every part.
“Whether or not it’s within the ring, on the battlefield or within the diplomatic area – we are going to struggle and we won’t quit what’s ours! Congratulations in your victory, Cossack! Congratulations in your victory, Ukraine!”
Former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, who enlisted within the Ukrainian army reserves earlier than Russia’s invasion, was on the Kingdom Area to witness Usyk’s victory.
“Ukraine is lucky to have you ever. You are a real standard-bearer of our resilience … glory to Ukraine,” Klitschko wrote on X.