During his visit to Washington DC in February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made headlines when he revealed that he may have misplaced Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight title belt.
The belt, which was given to him by the undefeated champion, was intended as a special gift to bring to US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The Unique Bond Between Zelenskyy and Usyk
Zelenskyy and Usyk share a close relationship, and this connection led the heavyweight champion to offer his prized title belt to the president for the visit.
It seems like a gesture of good will, with Usyk trusting Zelenskyy to take one of his most valuable possessions to the capital ahead of the critical meeting with Trump.
Where Did the Belt Go?
Despite the significance of the belt, Zelenskyy admitted to Time Magazine that he wasn’t entirely sure where it ended up.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked about its whereabouts.
He jokingly added, “Maybe it’s still sitting there,” suggesting that the belt might have been left behind in the whirlwind of his busy schedule.
The Belt’s Mysterious Journey
Before his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy had casually placed the belt on a side table near his chair in the Oval Office.
However, a White House employee later spotted it and moved it to Trump’s private dining room, placing it among other keepsakes.
That was the last time the belt was seen publicly.
A Tense Meeting and Sudden Departure
The meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President JD Vance escalated quickly into a heated verbal exchange.
The tension resulted in Zelenskyy’s abrupt departure before he could attend the scheduled press briefing alongside Trump.
This left the belt’s whereabouts even more unclear.
Usyk’s Unbelievable Career and Future Plans
On a separate note, Usyk continues to dominate the world of boxing.
After defeating Tyson Fury in Riyadh last May, Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Their rematch in December further solidified Usyk’s status, as he secured his second victory over Fury, keeping his undefeated record intact at 23-0 with 14 knockouts.
The Twilight of Usyk’s Career
As Usyk, now 37, enters the later stages of his career, he has started thinking about life beyond boxing.
After his victory over Fury, he shared that he feels he has only two more fights left in him before he steps away from the sport.
His focus now shifts to securing a fight against Daniel Dubois, the current holder of a major belt.
The Future of Usyk’s Boxing Journey
According to Sergey Lapin of Team Usyk, the next fight against Dubois is a top priority.
The fight could take place in either Riyadh or London, two cities known for hosting major boxing events.
Usyk’s goal is to continue proving himself as the best fighter of his generation and create a lasting legacy in the sport.
Is MMA in Usyk’s Future?
Though Usyk remains focused on boxing, he has expressed an interest in exploring other opportunities in the combat sports world.
There have been whispers about a potential MMA matchup with YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul, and even a possible showdown with UFC’s Alex Pereira.
Usyk has made it clear that if the right financial incentive arises, he would consider stepping into the cage for an MMA fight.
The Possibility of More Cross-Sport Fights
As the lines between boxing and MMA continue to blur, some have speculated that Usyk could be part of a larger movement to bring more cross-sport fights to the forefront.
With UFC president Dana White and others in the combat sports world exploring opportunities to bring fighters from different disciplines together, the landscape of fighting might be set for an exciting future.
Usyk, ever the competitor, is ready to embrace whatever new challenges lie ahead.