A few hours after another wave of Russian bombs strikes Kyiv on a midwinter morning, Oleksandr Usyk whispers, “The walls were trembling, and the dogs were hiding.” The world heavyweight champion is preparing for his projected unification showdown with Tyson Fury in the coming months at his training camp outside the capital. In comparison to the war in Ukraine, however, the avaricious maneuvers of boxing are of little consequence.
Usyk, who appears slender and fit while thoughtfully tugging at his close-cropped beard, is dressed in an immaculate white T-shirt. On the front is a stunning black-and-white portrait of Muhammad Ali.
The ancient promise “float like a butterfly” flows beneath the photograph as Usyk smiles and Ali dances across my Zoom screen. A buddy bought him the shirt for his 36th birthday on January 17, but the Ukraine flag behind him, signed by soldiers on the frontline with greetings for the champion, serves as a reminder that he is on the verge of a conflict zone.
“I am outside of Kyiv, but my wife and children felt this morning’s strike,” he says of the severe shelling. “However, thank God, the family is doing well.”
Pulling pranks at the gym
Usyk used to be a prankster, pulling pranks at the gym and peppering interviews with jokes, but he now carries the gravity of a besieged nation. While I say that it must be difficult to be away from his family when Kyiv is again bombarded, he leans forward, his head practically touching the screen.
“It’s not that difficult,” he states with composure. “Anxiety begins, but individuals are prepared. They are all thinking, ‘These dogs have once again launched bombs or opened fire on us.’ Because they are accustomed to it, our people accept it. They descend into bomb shelters, where they are safe.”
This month commemorates the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, and the residents of Irpin, located just outside of Kyiv, suffered the hardest. Usyk still feels the damage of the war keenly.
Irpin was heavily bombed before Russian troops briefly seized control of the terrain as part of a strategic attempt to encircle Kyiv. The Battle of Irpin continued until the 28th of March when Ukrainian soldiers repulsed the Russians and regained the city, a precursor to the country’s heroic struggle.
Usyk has joined the government initiative UNITED 24 in a project dubbed Rebuild Ukraine, which aims to rehabilitate 18 damaged structures in five communities near Kyiv. As soon as the reconstruction is complete, 4,237 Ukrainians will return to their reconstructed homes. Usyk kicked off the program with a donation of $200,000; $333,000 was required to rehabilitate the first property, which belonged to Diana Savenok’s family.
Spent the past eleven months fighting
Usyk assists me in communicating with Diana, a 34-year-old mother of two daughters from Irpin, Sofia, and Lily. Her husband, Egor, has spent the past eleven months fighting in the war, and Diana explains how their lives were shattered when the invasion began on February 24, 2022: “We were at home together and had just awoken when my family called to inform me that the war had begun. When I observed the aerial battle from my view, I realized the attacks would not be limited to military institutions. Bombs will be dropped on civilians.
“We hastily packed our belongings and moved to the refuge. My spouse slept little as he monitored the neighborhood or attempted to purchase food. The majority of stores were closed, while those that were open had lineups a kilometer long.
The Savenoks were aware that they had to flee. Diana pauses when I ask her what emotions she experienced on March 4, when she and her family fled to their parents’ home distant from Irpin.
“We had no right to experience feelings. We realized we had to run as quickly as possible. At the checkpoint, our documents were not inspected. They just stated, “Speed up, speed up!” Drive for your survival.
“The children were terrified, but I had no fear. I simply had the resolve to drive to safety and survive. My spouse immediately joined the Territorial Defense Forces upon our arrival.
The following day, our house was bombed. Thus, we escaped at the last minute, as Russian troops entered Irpin as we were departing. On March 5, our neighbors notified me through text message that our building was on fire. Our unit on level five was engulfed in flames after a shell struck level four.
Struck by a strange coincidence
Their apartment is located at Lysenko 14G, and when Usyk toured the damaged building for the first time, he was struck by a strange coincidence. “I had eight different reconstruction proposals,” he says. “I randomly chose this building. When I came, I was affected. In the gym in the basement, my close friend Oleksiy Dzhunkivskyy used to teach children how to box. Russian forces killed him.”
Did he not realize that his friend’s gym was located in the same building? Usyk gives a head shake. “As we neared, I observed the devastation. A shell directly struck the structure, destroying the roof and five levels.
There were no windows, but I noticed a sign for the Dzhunkivskyy Gym. Brother, do you suppose this is the Hall of Jonik [Dzhunkivskyy]? I asked my companion. It is tough to convey my emotions as I entered the building.”
Usyk will shortly face Fury’s force, but in this more intimate time, he finds the appropriate words. “Children’s laughter and the smell of boxing once filled that gym. All of the fervor of boxing. When I arrived, I could only smell death and gloom. At that point, I made the decision to restore young athletes to the gym and people to their homes.
What sort of individual was Dzhunkivskyy? “Oleksiy was incredibly courageous and daring. He cherished children, and his boxers achieved success. He coached even European winners.
When the Russians arrived, he did not surrender. He protected his gym with a lion’s heart despite his short stature. They murdered him immediately outside or within the building. I cannot say for certain.
WBO versions of the world title
“The first time I saw him was in Odessa; he was a few years older than I. In 2006, at the Ukraine championships, I was 19 years old and won my first national title. He won a silver medal in the lightweight division. We began communicating and constantly stayed in touch.”
Usyk emphasizes that commencing the initial renovation of a structure that once housed his friend’s gym has “reinvigorated my motivation. After one structure is reconstructed, I will select another, and then a third. I want to return them to the comfort of their homes before the invasion. I wish to assist humanely since our people are deserving.”
War has made boxing’s boasts appear more ludicrous than ever. Usyk, who holds the IBF, WBA, and WBO versions of the world title, was ringside two months ago when Fury defeated Derek Chisora to defend his WBC crown. Following the match, the two world champions met in the ring.
“Usyk, you’re next!” Fury yelled as the Ukrainian stared at him in silence. “You’re next, rabbit! Prick. Fifteen stone small midget bodybuilder. I am not a bodybuilder, you fool. I’m going to disregard you. I’ve already taken care of one Ukrainian in [Wladimir] Klitschko, and I’ll take care of you too, buck teeth.”
Fury yelled as the Ukrainian stared at him in silence
Usyk kept Fury’s attention as his silence spoke volumes. Fury continued to yell, “You nasty little man!” Let’s get it on, bitch. You may laugh now, but I’ll put an end to you, little sod. You’re going to do fuck all, you little sausage.”
Usyk smiles when I express admiration for his response. Possibly, it implied that Usyk had won the first round of their psychological battle. He says, “I believe I was able to get into his head a little bit, Mr. Don.” “I have witnessed Tyson Fury instill fear in his opponents for many years. And then I entered his mind.”
How does he interact with Fury when they are alone? “When there are no cameras, he is an entirely different person. He portrays the antagonist for the camera. I believe he enjoys watching romantic films, and when he does, he sheds a few tears. And that is not a negative fact. When I see sentimental films, I too can shed a tear.
Usyk is confident that their unification match will be scheduled soon, but he still faces the toughest test of his career. Even a boxing master like Usyk will have difficulty overcoming Fury’s tremendous size advantage and adept ringcraft. “I fully concur,” he says.
Usyk’s move from cruiserweight to boxing’s premier division was validated by the fact that he twice outclassed and defeated Anthony Joshua. In contrast to Fury, who resorts to insults, Usyk had kind words for his defeated opponent.
“Joshua should not be disappointed because he lost against me. He only needs to continue working, as he is a cool boxer and a good man. He will have the chance to become world heavyweight champion once more.”
Undisputed heavyweight champion
undisputed heavyweight championWhile Usyk prepares for his attempt to become the undisputed heavyweight champion, he will continue to assist in the reconstruction of Ukraine. When Diana Savenok learned that her home would be the first to be rebuilt, she exclaimed, “My children, husband, and I all sobbed tears of joy.” Oleksandr Usyk is our national pride. Imagine how I felt when I discovered that he was supporting our family.
“I wouldn’t call myself a boxing fan, but my family and I watch each of his bouts. It is impossible to overlook because this is the story of Ukrainian prosperity on a worldwide scale.”
Did she recognize Oleksiy Dzhunkivsky? “Our children recognize him from his basement boxing club. My daughters are more inventive. They did not participate in boxing, but they frequently peered through the windows to observe the training.
They report that he was so kind. Even when the children were annoying and interfering with his training, he never yelled at them. When wonderful people like him are taken by war, it’s a tragedy.”
Diana still sounds hopeful even as the killing grinds on. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to every person in the world who supports us. Not even with weapons or money, but just with your feelings and your words. It makes me believe my kids will return home soon.”
Usyk, being a fighter at his very core, is more pragmatic and forceful: “The world, it seems to me, is afraid of giving us the support we need. Ukraine is now a fence that holds back an incredible number of cannibals who want to seize half the world for themselves. Ukraine is the barrier that keeps Russia at bay.”
Assist Ukraine most effectively
When I inquire how the international community can assist Ukraine most effectively, he raises his fist. Give us tanks and weaponry, and we will contemplate triumph.
Usyk sounds as confident in his triumph against Russia and Fury as he is in his composure. He looks back behind him. “My friend and colleague gave me this flag while I was serving in the Ukraine border service. The document is signed by the men protecting our nation in Bakhmut. They handed me this flag, which I carry with me at all times. It gives me courage.”
The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, recently stated on the military operation in Bakhmut, “Last year, 70,000 people were living there. Now, only a few civilians remain. Blood covers every surface on earth. Never an hour passes without the dreadful thunder of guns. Still, Bakhmut stands.”
A few days following our conversation, we receive two emails from Ukraine. Usyk and the Savenok family provide updates and include a photograph of a gorgeous butterfly in their destroyed apartment. The butterfly is perched on Diana’s youngest daughter’s hand. It reminds me of Usyk’s Ali T-shirt, the world heavyweight champion who could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the face of immense political difficulty.
The text beneath the photos is written in straightforward but evocative English: “The butterfly was in our flat when it was burned by Russian shells.” We have no idea how he got there. But we are certain that this is a sign that life will prevail.”
