The two-weight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk sent a message to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine. The 35-year-old Ukrainian boxer begged Putin to call off the attack on his home country.
Oleksandr Usyk was in the UK ahead of his rematch against Anthony Joshua. However, once the news of ongoing war in his home country reached him, Usyk decided to go back home. He took to his Instagram account to urge Russia’s soldiers to stop the attack.
“Good morning, my name is Usyk Oleksandr. I want to appeal to the Russian people. If you consider us brotherly people, do not let your military, your children, go to our country. Stop attacking us!” Oleksandr said in a video.
He also sent a message to Vladimir Putin to appeal to stop the war.
“I also appeal to President Putin. Stop this war! Don’t give us ultimatums and declare your conditions, just sit down at the negotiating table. We need to talk and stop everything. Our children, our mothers, our grandmothers, and ordinary people are hiding in basements. We are on our own land, we act as we have to. We are protecting ourselves. Stop it. Stop this war! NO WAR!” Usyk said.
Sending a message like this won’t likely end a war. But it certainly isn’t hurting – considering the champion returned to his home country during a hard time and showed everyone where his allegiance lies. Many boxing fans around the world are supporting Usyk after seeing his impassioned plea for peace.