From the front lines to the world stage: How Oleksandr Usyk has become the most likeable heavyweight and a symbol of hope for so many
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Oleksandr Usyk's rise to global admiration is as much about his magnetic personality and principles as it is about his boxing prowess. The Ukrainian heavyweight champion stands apart not only for his skills in the ring but also for the humanity, humility, and heart that he brings to everything he does.
![[Usyk became the first undisputed world champion of the four-belt era in May, stripping Tyson Fury of his WBC title to write his name into the history books as one of boxing's all-time greats]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/06/90630253-14196621-Usyk_became_the_first_undisputed_world_champion_of_the_four_belt-a-14_1734331217277.jpg)
While Usyk is celebrated as one of boxing's finest, he is cherished globally for being more than just a fighter—he is a father, a patriot, and a man of remarkable character. Ahead of Usyk's rematch with Tyson Fury on December 21, Mail Sport have taken a look at what makes the 37-year-old quite so likeable.
![[The pair will go toe-to-toe for a second time in Saudi Arabia on December 21 - with Turki Alalshikh taking to social media in October to announce the undercard for the rematch]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/06/90680855-14196621-The_pair_will_go_toe_to_toe_for_a_second_time_in_Saudi_Arabia_on-a-15_1734331223066.jpg)
In a time of war and uncertainty, Usyk has become a beacon of hope for his homeland and the people in it. When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Usyk didn't hide behind fame or fortune. Instead, he returned home, enlisted in the military, and was prepared to fight on the front lines to defend his country.
![[The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world hosted middleweight Olympic champion Oleksandr Khyzhniak at his training camp in Spain]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/06/92283537-14196621-Oleksandr_Usyk_the_undisputed_heavyweight_champion_of_the_world_-a-16_1734331229715.jpg)
Oleksandr Usyk 's rise to global admiration is as much about his magnetic personality and principles as it is about his boxing prowess. Usyk became the first undisputed world champion of the four-belt era in May, stripping Tyson Fury of his WBC title to write his name into the history books as one of boxing's all-time greats.
![[Mail Sport joined Usyk in camp for a second time to take a look at his preparations for the 21st]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/06/92283561-14196621-Usyk_is_back_in_camp_training_for_the_rematch_set_to_take_place_-a-17_1734331243492.jpg)
The pair will go toe-to-toe for a second time in Saudi Arabia on December 21 - with Turki Alalshikh taking to social media in October to announce the undercard for the rematch. He joined the Kyiv Territorial Defence and was seen patrolling the streets of Ukraine with a machine gun in hand alongside his comrades.
![[Usyk (centre) enlisted with the Kyiv Territorial Defence after Russia's invasion of Ukraine]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/06/74649687-14196621-Usyk_centre_enlisted_with_the_Kyiv_Territorial_Defence_after_Rus-a-23_1734331605778.jpg)
