Oleksandr Usyk, the undisputed heavyweight world champion, has returned to his war-torn homeland of Ukraine, determined to make a difference in the lives of those affected by the ongoing conflict.
Usyk’s latest endeavor is to help rebuild a house at 14-H Lysenka Street, which he previously assisted in funding through the UNITED24 initiative. With his own contribution of $180,000 (out of a total of $224,000 raised), Usyk has ensured that 40 families can now return to their homes, finding solace in the wake of the conflict.
But Usyk’s mission extends beyond just rebuilding homes. During his visit, he discovered that the newly reconstructed building houses a gym where his acquaintance, Oleksii Dzhunkivskyi, used to teach young children the art of boxing. Tragically, Dzhunkivskyi lost his life while defending his country, and Usyk is determined to honor his memory.
“I decided to purchase all the necessary sports equipment so that the children can train in comfortable conditions,” Usyk said. “Although Oleksii is no longer with us, boxing will continue to exist in the gym he founded. The children will keep training, and perhaps one of them will become a new world champion.”
Usyk’s commitment to the local community extends beyond the boxing gym. He and his wife, Kateryna, also visited the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, which was struck by a missile on July 8. The undisputed champion met with the staff and children undergoing treatment, offering words of encouragement and even sharing a few boxing tips.
“The world needs to see the grief and massive destruction that Russia is causing to our country,” Usyk said, underscoring the importance of raising awareness about the ongoing war.
