Zelensky hails Usyk victory over Fury

By : AFP

Date: 22 December 2024 7:28am WAT

Britain's Tyson Fury (L) and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (R)Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP)

(FILES) Britain's Tyson Fury (L) and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (R) challenge each other during a press conference in London on November 16, 2023, ahead of their undisputed heavyweight world championship contest scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. - While the rest of the boxing world is drooling in anticipation of a genuine heavyweight world title fight that will unify the division for the first time in over 20 years, Tyson Fury insists the May 18, 2024, match-up with Oleksandr Usyk in Riyadh is all about the money. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP) — Britain’s Tyson Fury (L) and Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk (R)Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury in their heavyweight world championship rematch on Saturday, calling it proof that Ukraine “will not give up what’s ours”.

“Victory!” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. “So important and so necessary for all of us now.”

Ukraine remains locked in war nearly three years after Russia invaded, but Zelensky said Usyk’s triumph was a mark of Ukrainian resiliency and determination.

“Having retained the championship belts, Oleksandr proves: we are Ukrainians and we will not give up what’s ours. And no matter how difficult it is — we will win.

“Be it the ring, battlefield or diplomatic arena — we fight and we will not give up what’s ours.

“Congrats on the victory, Cossack! Congrats on the victory Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine.”

Usyk’s victory — seven months after his first triumph over Britain’s Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight world champion of the four-belt era — took his record to 23-0 with 14 knockouts.