After winning the rematch against Tyson Fury, Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk approached the side of the ring to collect a very special box. The boxer, whohad won by unanimous decision (a triple 116-112), immediately lifted over his head the historic and unique saber of the 17th centuryHetman Ivan Mazepa, which was loaned for the occasion by the Chernihiv Historical Museum in accordance with all regulations.
With this gesture in the ring, Usyk wanted to highlight the Ukrainian people’s fight for freedom. This saber that Oleksandr showed belonged to
Mazepa, a Cossack nobleman who fought to re-establish Ukraine’s political and military independence from Russian rule, became a symbol of Ukrainian nationalism.
Thus Usyk remembered that Ukraine is still at war, having been invaded by the Russian army almost three years ago. It should be remembered that the boxer was on the front line and recounted his nightmare. “I saw my enemies running, tanks exploding, houses being destroyed,” he said.
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