Oleksandr Usyk is giving no real consideration to his boxing career as he focuses on defending Ukraine from a Russian invasion.
The 35-year-old had been expected to face Anthony Joshua in May or June, in a rematch of their bout last year that saw Usyk win the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO belts in London.
Speaking recently, Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn believed that fight would still place as scheduled, despite Usyk enlisting with the Kyiv Territorial Defence in his home country.
However, in an interview with CNN, Usyk revealed that his priority is Ukraine and any return to the world of boxing would have to wait.
“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring,” he said.
“My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt.”
The heavyweight has joined childhood friend and fellow Ukrainian boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko in taking up arms, while the Klitschko brothers are also involved in the fight to defend their country.
Usyk has insisted he feels no fear despite the situation, and that he accepts a situation could arise where he has to take a life, but his manager Egis Klimas knows just how grave the situation is in Ukraine.
He said: “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.”
