
Usyk says a farewell to arms and leaves a war-torn Ukraine to prepare for Joshua's rematch
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 24.03.22. | 21:44
When the war broke in Ukraine, the champion flew back to his home country and joined his local, territorial defence force
Oleksandr Usyk has reportedly left Ukraine and crossed the border into Poland so that he can begin training for the Anthony Joshua rematch.
Usyk is contractually obligated to a second fight with Joshua, who he beat and dethroned of his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight world titles back in September 2021.
However, when the war broke in Ukraine, the champion flew back to his home country and joined his local, territorial defence force in Kyiv.
For the past month, it has been unclear as to whether Usyk would be able to take the rematch with Joshua.
Ukraine is under martial law, meaning no adult males between 18 and 60 years of age are allowed to leave.
IF YOU'RE NOT ENROLLED IN THE MILITARY YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CRITICIZE OLEKSANDR USYK FOR LEAVING UKRAINE. pic.twitter.com/U0TTSLTNTM
— MIGHTYMax (@MIGHTYMaxBOXING) March 23, 2022
Joshua's team even started planning for a potential interim fight that would see him face another opponent first, before then meeting Usyk again in September or October.
Now though, it has emerged that there is an exception that allows fathers of three or more children under the age of 18 to leave Ukraine at present.
Usyk is understood to have crossed the border into Poland and will soon start training to face Joshua again.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Brit posted a picture of himself wearing a Polska shirt, seemingly referencing this. He captioned the image: "Let's roll."
Let’s roll 🎲 pic.twitter.com/N9y5E1pO4q
— Anthony Joshua (@anthonyjoshua) March 23, 2022














