Oleksandr Usyk has returned to Ukraine to join the fight against the invading Russia, with uncertainty on whether it will affect his upcoming bout against Anthony Joshua.
The world was left stunned last week when Russia invaded their Eastern European neighbours, leading to a wealth of sanctions against Vladimir Putin's country from Western powers.
The Russian push remains ongoing, however, with Putin's latest action being to put his nuclear power on high alert, and Ukraine has called for help in fending off the invasion.
Ukrainian men have been prevented from crossing the border, instead required to sign-up to defend the country - and Usyk is one of the latest to answer the call.
The world heavyweight champion confirmed a few days ago that he had returned to his homeland, amid accusations of 'hiding' from the fight, and has valiantly denied such claims.
Instead, he has signed up to join the Kyiv Territorial Defense alongside compatriots and fellow boxers Wladmir Klitchscko, Vasyl Lomachenko and Vitali Klitchsko - the latter of which is now the mayor of the Ukrainian capital.
Usyk posed for pictures wielding an assault rifle and, over the weekend, took to social media to send a plea for peace.
“I’d like to speak to the people of Russia. If we consider ourselves as brothers, orthodox ones. Do not let your children to set out to our country, do not fight with us.
“Also I’m addressing this to the President Vladimir Putin. You can stop this war. Please just sit down and negotiate it with us without claims.
“Our kids, wives, grannies are hiding in the basements… We are here in our own country, we cannot do it other way – we are defending… Stop it! Stop this war.”
