Oleksandr Usyk has spoken out after he was spotted taking part in a charity football match despite sustaining some minor injuries following his clash with Daniel Dubois.
Pepe, Figo, Pauleta and Helder Postiga all scored as Portugal legends secured a 4-1 win over World legends in the inaugural Legends Charity Game. One of the biggest surprises from the match saw the Ukrainian swap the boxing gloves for the football boots. Usyk played 17 minutes in the first half and 6 minutes in the second half.
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The aim of the charity match was to raise over €1,000,000 for several charitable organisations, including the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, Portuguese Red Cross, International Alert, and Caritas Portuguesa. Fans were left stunned after Usyk took part in the game despite having to postpone his mandatory world title defence against Joseph Parker due to an injury claim.
The Ukrainian was previously ordered to defend his WBO gold strap against Parker after beating Daniel Dubois in July. That said, the bout has since been delayed on medical grounds and recent reports revealed that Usyk’s team had been successful in their appeal for a 90-day extension.
Despite suffering a few injuries against ‘Triple D,’ Usyk remained under the close supervision of his team and medical staff in Lisbon. Speaking about the charity match, the two-time undisputed heavyweight champion said: “Football is my childhood dream. Now I want to help Ukrainian children to make their dreams come true. The Usyk Foundation raises money to help sixty four families have a home again. This is just a drop in the ocean — a million of Ukrainians have lost their homes. But we do what we can.” He added: “I consider sport as a very powerful tool to make the world better.”
Usyk, 38, participated as a guest, but also wanted to draw attention to his own charitable initiative – the Usyk Foundation. The current fundraising campaign by his foundation aims to raise €3million (£2.5m) for the ‘construction of new housing for 64 Ukrainian families who lost their homes due to Russia’s full-scale invasion.’
Last month, Usyk grabbed the headlines after he was filmed dancing at a music concert. After the clip went viral online, Parker’s promoter – David Higgins – was quick to question the Ukrainian’s injury. “I haven’t actually seen the medical evidence but you would think that a serious injury would prevent that sort of activity,” he said. While Usyk is not expected to return this year, Parker will have at least one more fight before facing the Ukrainian. The Kiwi heavyweight will take on British star Fabio Wardley in London on October 25.
