In the years to come, I believe Usyk will be viewed similarly.
More than a dozen war veterans from Ukraine were at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night to watch a man who has used his global platform to raise as much awareness as possible about the plight of his country since the Russian invasion in 2022. Usyk invited many of them to meet him in the days before the fight, telling them about his training for the bout and his journey from childhood to becoming a champion.
Earlier in the week, the 38-year-old joined billionaire Richard Branson to unveil a mosaic in London’s Trafalgar Square as part of an effort to raise funds for housing for Ukrainians.
“Russia destroyed hospitals, Russia destroyed schools, Russia destroyed lives — Ukrainian lives,” Usyk told the gathering. “But we will survive.”
As I made my way into Wembley on Saturday night, I saw the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine at every turn. Inside, a huge roar went up when images of Usyk arriving flashed up on the big screens and chants of “Usyk, Usyk, Usyk” echoed around the stadium. He has become the champion not only of heavyweight boxing but of his country, a place where hope is fighting hard to survive and where Usyk’s endeavours help to provide a source of motivation when the days are darkest.
In comparison to this aspect of Usyk’s greatness, it might seem trivial or trite to then mention his character, but in an era when male role models are perhaps more important than ever before, Usyk’s nature plays a hugely important role, too.