The world heavyweight boxing champion under the WBC, WBA, and IBF versions, Oleksandr Usyk, admitted that a few years ago he found himself under fire in a combat zone. He shared this during a conversation with fans while signing a Ukrainian flag.
This is reported by Finway
Usyk shared memories of a dangerous situation
According to Usyk, during one of the trips, he and his team went to a place where they were not supposed to be, and they were shelled there. The athlete recounted that when they tried to leave the dangerous area, he remained silent and felt intense anxiety. The driver later noted that Usyk was very tense.
“We went to a place where we were not supposed to be. And they shot at us a bit. When we were driving away in the car, I sat there silently, and we passed by so that my hands were shaking. And the driver later said: ‘He was so tense!’,” the athlete recalls.
Usyk added that although he exaggerates, the situation was very stressful. He also noted that fear is a natural feeling that an athlete fights with through prayer and understanding the inevitability of risk.
Preparation for the match with Rico Verhoeven
Oleksandr Usyk is preparing for a fight with Dutchman Rico Verhoeven, which will take place on May 23, 2026, in Giza (Egypt). The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned this match, and the winner will receive a special belt. The WBA and IBF also recognize the fight as a title defense for Usyk.
The match is generating significant interest, particularly because Rico Verhoeven has minimal experience in professional boxing — he has only one victory and one knockout to his name. Experts predict that Usyk will achieve a victory by knockout, which will be his 25th in his professional career.
It is also noted that after his second defeat, Usyk’s previous opponent announced his retirement but later expressed a desire to return to the ring and have another match with the Ukrainian champion.