Ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk received an emotional letter from a Ukrainian soldier stationed on the frontlines.
The letter not only touched Usyk deeply but also fueled his motivation as he prepared for the fight that could solidify his legacy.
Victory and Redemption
Earlier this year, Usyk faced Fury for the undisputed world championship title, triumphing on points despite facing a tough middle part of the fight.
He nearly knocked out Fury in the ninth round, landing a barrage of 14 unanswered punches that left Fury struggling against the ropes.
Although Fury made it to the final bell, Usyk claimed the victory, and now, he has a chance to redeem himself after his only career defeat to date.
A Soldier’s Letter of Support
In the lead-up to the fight, Usyk sat down for an interview with Mail Sport where he reflected on his training, previewed the fight, and read a deeply personal letter from the soldier.
The letter was from Oleksandr, a fighter in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, whose call sign was “Shket.”
He expressed his pride in Usyk’s victories, calling them an inspiration to the troops, who continue to fight for their country’s freedom. The soldier wrote:
“Dear Mr. Oleksandr, my name is also Oleksandr, my callsign is ‘Shket.’
I am a fighter in the tactical special forces unit GRIM, part of the 41st separate brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
My brothers and I watch all your fights whenever possible and wholeheartedly root for you.
We are proud that the glory of Ukrainian boxing is now resounding so loudly.
Every victory for Ukraine is priceless. We know what hard work is, both in the ring and in the steppes of Donbas.”
The letter went on to share the soldier’s personal experiences, from defending Kyiv to fighting in Bakhmut and helping to liberate Kherson.
He ended with heartfelt wishes of victory for Usyk, saying, “We are rooting for you. Together to victory!”
Usyk’s Reflection on the Letter
As Usyk unfolded and read the letter aloud, his voice grew steady, though the emotional weight was clear.
The words from the soldier left him visibly moved.
After finishing the letter, Usyk paused, then read it again, absorbing every line.
“This gives me extra motivation,” Usyk remarked.
“This is a real man, a real soldier who is supporting my country. I do this for them.”
The letter reminded Usyk of his own commitment to his homeland.
In 2022, Usyk enlisted in Kyiv’s Territorial Defense to help protect Ukraine from the Russian invasion, further solidifying his role as both a champion and a symbol of hope for his people.
Ready to Fight: Usyk’s Vision for Boxing
Beyond his boxing career, Usyk is also co-founder of Ready to Fight, a social media platform dedicated to connecting boxers with their communities.
The app, the first of its kind in the sport, enables boxers to collaborate with sparring partners, coaches, and managers, while also supporting fans, sponsors, gyms, and other boxing-related professionals.
It’s a part of Usyk’s broader mission to bring more unity and innovation to the boxing world.