“A Symbol of Hope and Defiance in the Face of War”

As the world’s eyes turn to Wembley Stadium for the highly anticipated boxing match between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois, the Ukrainian champion has used his platform to send a strong message to the world about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The stakes are high for Usyk, not only in terms of his boxing career, but also as a symbol of defiance and hope for the Ukrainian people.

In a symbolic gesture, Usyk unveiled a replica of a mosaic created by Ukrainian artist Alla Horska in Mariupol in 1967, which was destroyed by Russian forces during the war. The mosaic’s message of resilience and hope resonated with the small crowd that gathered around him in Trafalgar Square. “Russia destroyed so much in my country,” Usyk said. “Russia destroyed hospitals. Russia destroyed schools. Russia destroyed Ukrainian lives. But we will survive. We will rebuild our country, like a mosaic, piece by piece.”

This poignant gesture serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of the war on Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Mariupol, a city on the eastern coast of Ukraine, was heavily bombed by Russian forces in 2022, resulting in widespread destruction and loss of life. The original mosaic, a symbol of Ukrainian identity and resilience, was destroyed in the process. By unveiling a replica, Usyk is not only paying tribute to the original mosaic but also to the Ukrainian people’s determination to rebuild and recover.

Usyk also partnered with British businessman Richard Branson to raise £2.5m for the Usyk Foundation, which aims to build new apartments for 64 displaced families in Ukraine. The foundation’s efforts were further amplified by the addition of a prosthetic limb to the statue of Florence Nightingale in Pall Mall, painted in the colors of Ukraine. This gesture serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of the war on civilians, with over 80,000 Ukrainians in need of prosthetic limbs due to Russian bombings.

In a recent interview with the BBC, Usyk expressed his deep concern for the situation in Ukraine, stating that “Ukrainian people are dying. It’s not just military guys, but children, women, grandmothers, grandfathers. For me, it’s hard. It’s my country. I worry about what happens in my country.” He also called on world leaders, including Donald Trump, to visit Ukraine and witness the reality of the conflict firsthand. “I advise the American President, Donald Trump, to go to Ukraine and live in my house. Only one week. I will give him my house. Live please in Ukraine and watch what is going on every night. Every night there are bombs and flights above my house. Bombs, rockets. Every night. It’s enough.”

Usyk’s words are a stark reminder of the human cost of the war in Ukraine. The conflict has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties, widespread destruction, and a massive displacement of people. As a symbol of Ukrainian identity and resilience, Usyk’s message of hope and defiance serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people.

As Usyk’s focus shifts back to his opponent, Daniel Dubois, the Ukrainian champion acknowledges that his opponent has improved significantly since their first bout. Dubois, who has gained confidence as a world champion, defeated Anthony Joshua in a dominant performance last September. “Daniel is a good athlete and has good skills,” Usyk said. “In his last three fights, he had great wins. I think he’s a great fighter.”

Despite his concerns about the war in Ukraine, Usyk remains determined to emerge victorious in the ring, using his platform to amplify the voices of the Ukrainian people and to raise awareness about the devastating impact of the conflict. As he prepares for the biggest test of his career, Usyk’s message of hope and resilience serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit of the Ukrainian people.