Alexander presented the President of Ukraine with the WBC heavyweight title.
WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk gave a gift to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Ukrainian boxer presented the head of state with the WBC heavyweight championship title, which he won in a fight with Briton Tyson Fury.
“This is the real one, which we took from our fat friend from London, the original belt. I want you to keep it. I apologize that there is no photo of my friend here, whom I beat. But it should not be here, there is mine,” Usyk said, handing over the valuable trophy to Zelensky.
The head of state noted that he was uncomfortable receiving such a gift, but Usyk promised that he would win another belt.
“A meeting with our boxer Alexander Usyk. It is an honor to receive his belt. The WBC world heavyweight champion belt. Thank you for everything you do for Ukraine. For glorifying Ukrainian strength and invincibility. Thank you!” Zelensky responded.
Earlier it was reported that Zelensky awardedUsyk and fencer Olga Kharlan were awarded the Order of Freedom on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine. They also received the “National Legend of Ukraine” award.
Recall that on the night of May 19, 2024, Usyk defeated Fury by split decision (115-112, 114-113, 113-114) in the main fight of the boxing show in Riyadh. At the end of the ninth round, Alexander knocked his opponent down.
Thus, Alexander defended the WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF belts, and also took the WBC title from the “Gypsy King”. Usyk became the first absolute world champion in the heavyweight division in the 21st century.
At the end of June, Alexander renounced the IBF title. The new owner of this belt is the Briton Daniel Dubois, who defeated the Croatian Filip Hrgovic ahead of schedule, and will defend it on September 21 in a fight against his compatriot Anthony Joshua.
In turn, Usyk will have a rematch with Fury on December 21. This time, the title of absolute world champion will not be at stake.