Oleksandr Usyk has indicated that he doesn't know when he will box again, throwing the Anthony Joshua rematch into doubt, as he defends his country from the Russian invasion.
The pair fought each other on September 25, 2021, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the Ukrainian came out victorious on points.
Because of that victory, Usyk is now the current WBO, WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight champion.
The rematch was reportedly considered to take place in May, but no official date had been confirmed.
With the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, however, Usyk has decided to take up arms with his fellow countrymen and protect his country from Vladimir Putin’s forces.
Usyk told CNN: “I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back into the ring.
“My country and my pride are more important to me than a belt.”
Usyk isn’t the only boxer protecting Ukraine, the Klitschko brothers are also laying their lives down for their country.
Fans are obviously left in a situation where they want to see an active boxing heavyweight champion fight, but don’t want Usyk to be stripped of his titles due to his current unavailability.
The victor of the rematch was on the path to ending up fighting Tyson Fury, so there can be an undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
There’s no doubting the Ukrainian’s patriotism, he flew from London to Warsaw and drove almost 500 miles to Kyiv when the fighting began.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 25: Anthony Joshua looks on as Oleksandr Usyk punches during the Heavyweight Title Fight between Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 25, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Usyk’s manager Egis Kilmas put some perspective on why boxing is not important for the both at the moment: “They’re in big danger.
“When the bullets start flying, the bullet doesn’t care if you’re a world champion.
“The bullet just goes through.”
All boxing fans and people around the world hope that the ongoing events in Ukraine end peacefully soon.