Usyk reveals Russian invaders ‘shot at’ his house and ‘dragged away neighbours’ as he opens up on defending Ukraine
OLEKSANDR USYK revealed Russian invaders "shot at" his house and "dragged away neighbours" as he opened up on defending Ukraine.
The pound-for-pound boxing star signed up with a territorial defence battalion amid the invasion of Vladimir Putin's Russia.
Usyk, who has since left the country, discussed the chilling reality of the war being waged in his homeland.
He told Profiboxing: “I know they shot at our house, broke down the gate, and dragged away some of our neighbours.
“But I don’t know what it looks like there now. We can’t get in touch with anyone.
"It’s terrible when yours run to hide in the basement at every rustle.”
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Usyk was pictured holding an assault rifle after bravely taking up arms to defend Ukraine.
He added: “I may have picked up a gun, but that doesn’t mean I would use it."
Usyk, 35, in September beat Britain's Anthony Joshua, 32, and the pair are contracted to a rematch.
But that threatened to be scrapped as the heavyweight champion faced a far bigger fight back home.
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AJ was contemplating an interim bout until the news broke that Usyk had decided to flee Kyiv, via Poland, to focus on his rematch with Joshua.
The two are now set to share the ring once more with London and Saudi Arabia leading the race to host.
Usyk said: “I didn’t think for a moment that I would stay there. This fight will be special for me in that respect.”
