Oleksandr Usyk has revealed the Ukrainian military supported his decision to leave the war and fight Anthony Joshua.
Usyk will finally renew his rivalry with Joshua on August 20 in Saudi Arabia after months of uncertainty. The Ukrainian bravely elected to return home and take up arms after his homeland was invaded by Russian troops.
He was pictured alongside fellow Ukrainian military personnel with a weapon after joining the Kyiv Territorial Defence earlier this year. However he eventually opted to return to boxing training and accept his contracted rematch with Joshua despite coming into criticism.
