Oleksandr Usyk honors late father after historic heavyweight world title win
Following his remarkable achievement as the undisputed heavyweight world champion, Oleksandr Usyk reflects on the memory of his late father who departed in 2012, revealing a poignant and emotional tribute.
After the initial excitement of winning the heavyweight world title settled down, Oleksandr Usyk began to think about his father who had passed away in 2012.
During a press conference following his victory over Tyson Fury, the Ukrainian fighter got emotional as he shared a memory of dreaming about his late father. His words faltered and tears welled up in his eyes.
I told my father that I miss him, but I asked him not to come for me because we live in different places. I love him very much. He mentioned that he had never dreamt about his father before this argument.
Oleksandr Usyk punches Tyson Fury during the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO and Undisputed Heavyweight titles' fight at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 18, 2024. Usyk defeated Fury in a split decision,
Oleksandr Usyk landed a punch on Tyson Fury during their fight for the IBF, WBA, WBC, WBO, and Undisputed Heavyweight titles at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 18, 2024. Ultimately, Usyk emerged victorious over Fury in a split decision.
Image Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
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It's tough for me when my father comes back because it brings back memories of our past. I can feel his presence, maybe sitting out there," he said, pointing towards the press room while wiping his eyes with his shirt and flexing his arms.
Usyk, who is 37 years old, made history by becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era. He achieved this feat by defeating Fury in a split decision in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. This victory makes him the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis 25 years ago, as Lewis had won all three belts available at that time.
Usyk won the fight with two judges scoring it 115-112 and 114-113 in his favor, while the other judge scored it 114-113 for Fury. This victory now means Usyk holds the WBC title in addition to his WBA, IBF, and WBO belts.
During his post-fight interview, Usyk took a moment to honor the soldiers who are currently defending his country. This comes as Russia escalates its offensive in northern Ukraine, over two years after its initial invasion.
Usyk expressed his joy, stating, "It's a significant victory not just for me, but for my country," to We.
In his post-fight interview, Fury disagreed with the judges' decision, claiming that he "actually won that fight" and that the audience "were supporting the country at war."
Tyson Fury suffered his first ever loss in professional boxing.
Tyson Fury suffered his first ever loss in professional boxing.
Richard Pelham/Getty Images
He added in the press conference afterwards that he thought he was winning the fight ahead of its final round.
"I thought I was ahead in the final round, so I didn't go all out to finish it like my corner would have wanted," he explained.
He felt that he had won a few of the last rounds, even though his opponent may have won one or two earlier on. The judges' decision was split, with one judge scoring in his favor and the other two in favor of his opponent.
Months of discussions and canceled matches led up to the highly anticipated fight, with both boxers dedicating nine months to training. Initially scheduled for December 23, the fight was postponed to February 2024 after Fury's challenging bout against former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
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Unfortunately, the second fight date had to be delayed again. This time, it was due to a random cut above the Briton's eye from a sparring session.
Usyk shared, "I worked for nine months. I missed the birth of my daughter and all our family holidays. But now, I am happy and looking forward to going home, visiting my church, and saying my prayers."
Despite dedicating a significant amount of time to prepare for the fight, Usyk avoided talking about a potential rematch during the press conference. This decision came after agreeing to a rematch scheduled for October right after the fight.
“I don’t think about boxing now please,” he quipped.
Fury echoed his opponent saying in his press conference that he didn’t want to think about another fight just yet.
“I ain’t boxing here because I’ve got no money, I’m boxing because I love it. I’m 36 in a few months and I’ve been boxing since I was a child. Where does it end?” he said.
Editor's P/S:
Oleksandr Usyk's emotional tribute to his late father during his post-fight press conference was a poignant reminder of the personal sacrifices athletes make in pursuit of their dreams. His words, filled with both sorrow and love, highlighted the complex emotions that accompany triumph and loss. Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury was not only a testament to his skill and determination but also a symbol of resilience and the enduring power of human connection.
The upcoming rematch between Usyk and Fury promises to be another epic clash of titans. However, both fighters have expressed their desire to take some time off from boxing to focus on their personal lives and families. This decision is a reminder that even in the world of elite sports, there are things that matter more than championships and glory. Usyk's desire to return home and visit his church speaks to the importance of faith and community in his life. Fury's contemplation of his future beyond boxing highlights the challenges of balancing a demanding career with the desire for a fulfilling personal life.
