Oleksandr Usyk Says People On The Frontline Are Praying For His Win Which Motivates Him Ahead Of Joshua Rematch

Oleksandr Usyk will have the entire country of Ukraine behind him on Saturday and he says that is motivating him.

Usyk is set to defend his heavyweight titles on Saturday against Anthony Joshua in a massive fight for both of their legacies. Ahead of the fight, Usyk says the people on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine are praying for his win which is motivating him to get the win.

“I am motivated by the people of Ukraine who are struggling hard to defend our independence, to defend our freedom and defend our culture that other people want to demolish and destroy, they don’t want us to exist anymore,” Usyk said (h/t BoxingScene). “I am in touch with many guys from the frontline, military guys and soldiers. I receive voice and video messages from them with words of support and news that they are praying for me and for my victory. They are holding their hands tight and praying for my victory and that motivates me.”

According to Oleksandr Usyk, he says the country and the President of Ukraine will all be watching his fight on Saturday. Usyk knows it will be a big relief for Ukraine to watch him and take their mind off the war, which he says is getting better.

“I have been getting updates from home every day and I did manage to get some positive news. Some of my friends, military guys, came back from their assignments safe and sound. Their assignments were really complicated and dangerous but they managed to get home safe and sound and accomplish it,” Usyk said. “We are hearing fewer explosions and see enemy activity reducing, which might be considered positive news for us.”

Usyk also says the people of Ukraine are also motivating him to have a good performance against Joshua.

“It’s the real deeds of people that motivate me. If the president of Ukraine had left in the first days of the war, it would have been a very bad thing that would leave the Ukrainian people without hope. But he didn’t,” Usyk said. “That is what has motivated us to stand strong and fight. I am pretty sure that if we had someone else as president that we would have not moved in the positive direction that we have.”

Do you think Oleksandr Usyk will beat Anthony Joshua?