logo
Oleksandr Usyk is one of boxing's greats – but he'll never be able to enjoy success due to horrors of Ukraine war

Oleksandr Usyk is one of boxing's greats – but he'll never be able to enjoy success due to horrors of Ukraine war

The Sun2 days ago
OLEKSANDR USYK'S fame and fortune is a 'curse' while his friends and countrymen are lying dead in trenches and bomb sites.
Derek Chisora lost a 12-round decision against the two-weight undisputed genius in 2020 but the pair bashed up an unlikely bromance.
5
5
5
The heavyweight heroes meet at a Ukrainian sauna when the Brit-basher visits London, and they speak regularly on the phone, when the 41-year-Londoner can hear missiles and rockets raging over his roof.
Del Boy was ringside to watch Usyk's latest four-belt crowning over Daniel Dubois on Saturday night at Wembley, cementing his place as a generational talent and a multi-millionaire.
But he told our Split Decision YouTube show that all the belts and cash in the world are wasted on the devout 38-year-old, while Vladimir Putin lays siege to his home and slaughters his nation.
Chisora explained: 'He has made so much money but he can't enjoy it because his country is at war.
'He can't go around driving a Lamborghini while his friends are having their houses destroyed and they are dying. He is cursed.
'He can't go on holiday in St Tropez and sunbathe and drink tequila because his friends are in the trenches.
'He can't enjoy his money. He can't because he is all Ukraine has right now."
Since the 2022 invasion, Usyk has scythed through British boxing 's best big men.
5
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
After Chisora was outpointed, the gap-toothed southpaw did almost faultless doubles over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and now 27-year-old Dubois.
And the Englishman reckons the sickening onslaught his people are facing is inspiring him in a way that transcends sport.
Oleksandr Usyk has press conference in stitches as he NAMES the left hook that floored Daniel Dubois at Wembley
He said: 'The population is going down because so many people, young men, are dying.
'It's so difficult for him but it's also why he is so dedicated, he is doing it for his whole nation.
'If it's your destiny then it's your destiny. If God says it's your path then nothing will take you away from it.'
Arguments about cross-generation fantasy fights will rage on in pubs and online forums.
But Chisora tries to keep it short and sweet.
He added: 'Usyk is 100 per cent a top-10 heavyweight and he is in my top-five.
'European amateur champion, Olympic gold medalist, undisputed cruiserweight world champion and two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
'What more else can he do? He has whooped us all. He has taken the p***!'
5
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Hamilton in 'big, big push' to speed up Ferrari
Hamilton in 'big, big push' to speed up Ferrari

Reuters

time17 minutes ago

  • Reuters

Hamilton in 'big, big push' to speed up Ferrari

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, July 24 (Reuters) - Lewis Hamilton said he refused to be another name on the list of Formula One champions who failed to win a title for Ferrari, and was making "a big, big push" back at the factory to help boost the chances of success. The seven-times world champion and record race winner, who moved from Mercedes to Maranello this season, has yet to stand on the podium after 12 races with the sport's oldest, most glamorous and successful team. Ferrari has not won a drivers' title since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007. "I see a huge amount of potential within this team. The passion -- nothing comes close to that. But it's a huge organisation, and there are a lot of moving parts," Hamilton told reporters on Thursday at the Belgian Grand Prix. "And not all of them are firing on all the cylinders that they need to be. That's ultimately why the team has not had the success that I think it deserves. "So, I feel that it's my job to challenge absolutely every area, to challenge everybody in the team -- particularly the guys that are at the top who are making the decisions." Hamilton named Raikkonen, seemingly forgetting that the Finn won his sole title with Ferrari, along with multiple world champions Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel on a list of those who ended up frustrated with their stint in red. "I refuse for that to be the case with me," said the 40-year-old Briton, who wants an eighth title but knows time is not on his side. "So I'm going the extra mile. "I think if you take the same path all the time, you get the same results. So I'm just challenging certain things. They've been incredibly responsive. We've been improving in so many areas." Hamilton said he had been busy at the factory since his home grand prix at Silverstone, where he finished fourth, holding meetings and going over everything that he felt needed to change. He has called meetings attended by leaders from various departments as well as principal Fred Vasseur. "I've sent documents... after the first few races I did a full document for the team. Then during this break, I had another two documents that I sent in, and then I come in and want to address those," he said. "Some of it's structural adjustments that we need to make as a team in order to get better in all the areas we want to improve. "And the other one was really about the car -- the current issues that I have, some things that you do want to take on to next year's car, and some that you need to work on changing." Hamilton is sixth in the standings, 16 points behind fifth-placed teammate Charles Leclerc. He has so far beaten the Monegasque only twice in regular grands prix. The Briton won in Belgium last year, his 105th and most recent win.

Christian Horner exit doesn't affect my Red Bull future
Christian Horner exit doesn't affect my Red Bull future

The Independent

time17 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Christian Horner exit doesn't affect my Red Bull future

Max Verstappen says Christian Horner's sudden dismissal does not guarantee his future at Red Bull. Horner will not be at a Formula One race for the first time in two decades for this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix after he was 'released' as team principal and CEO 16 days ago. His departure came 17 months after he was accused by a female staff member of 'inappropriate behaviour'. The 51-year-old, who oversaw 14 world championships, always denied the claims and was twice exonerated. The allegations coincided with a slump in Red Bull's form, with Verstappen taking just four victories from his last 26 appearances. He is 69 points off the championship pace at the midway stage of the season. Verstappen's father Jos claimed back in March of last year that Red Bull would 'explode' if Horner was not moved on, and it had been speculated that Horner's dismissal was a power play by the Verstappen camp. But when asked if Horner's exit will affect whether he stays beyond this season, Verstappen said: 'No, it doesn't really. 'People can have a difference of opinion, and I actually expect that to happen because if everyone always agrees, there is a problem. 'We work in a different direction, I'm excited about it, but I don't think it will matter at all for my decision in the future. The last one and a half years have not been what we want to be. Now we will try and be more competitive.' Verstappen, 27, has a contract with Red Bull until 2028, although a performance-related clause could activate an early release. Mercedes are known to be admirers and Toto Wolff and Verstappen were recently in Sardinia. However, both parties have dismissed their respective holidays as a coincidence. Pressed as to whether there is a possibility he will not drive for Red Bull beyond this year, four-time world champion Verstappen replied: 'There is also a possibility I don't wake up tomorrow. So then there is no driving at all. Life is unpredictable. 'But I'm very happy where I'm at. The target we set out when we signed the new deal was that I would drive here until the end of my career.' Verstappen revealed he has been in touch with Horner but said 'time will tell' whether his sudden departure is the right decision. The F1 team's parent company, Red Bull GmbH, did not specify a reason behind Horner's exit. Verstappen continued: 'Management and the shareholders decided that they wanted a change. They run the team. And I'm the driver, so whatever they decide, it's fully in their right to do what they want. 'You look back at those 20 years of Red Bull and we've had a lot of great years and great results. Management decided they wanted to steer the ship in a different direction. 'Looking back doesn't make sense. It's not going to make you faster. But at the same time, we do appreciate and remember those 20 years. And the relationship between myself and Christian doesn't change. Of course, he's not here now during a race weekend. But it's still like a second family to me.' Lewis Hamilton will contest his 369th race on Sunday, but the first of his long career without rival Horner, whose shoes will be filled by Frenchman Laurent Mekies, on the Red Bull pit wall. 'I was neither surprised nor unsurprised,' said Hamilton. 'It doesn't change anything in my life. 'I sat with Christian in his office back in 2005, and I was in Formula Three and looking to go into GP2. He was with Arden. 'I wouldn't say we hit it off from the get-go but to see his progression and his career, it was clearly remarkable what he did with the team with a huge group of amazing people. 'To run an organisation that big and that well takes talent and skill and that is what he brought to the team. I wish him all the best.'

Behind-the-scenes look at Brooklyn and Nicola's family holiday
Behind-the-scenes look at Brooklyn and Nicola's family holiday

The Independent

time17 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Behind-the-scenes look at Brooklyn and Nicola's family holiday

Brooklyn Beckham was filmed enjoying a drink with his father-in-law in footage shared by his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, on her Instagram story on Thursday (24 July). The eldest son of Victoria and David Beckham, 26, was pictured with Nelson Peltz in behind-the-scenes footage of their family getaway to St Tropez. This comes amid rumours of a rift between Brooklyn and his family. A compilation of footage showed Nelson, 83, with his arm around Brooklyn, as well as the pair embraced in a hug. Brooklyn and Nicola tied the knot in Palm Beach in April 2022.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store