Usyk - A Symbol of Hope in a Time of Despair

Oleksandr Usyk is a great champion and a great man.His fights have brought hope to his country of Ukraine in a time of war. When life feels overwhelming and you don't know how you will get through, Usyk's example can offer a glimmer of hope to keep you moving towards the light at the end of the tunnel.

Oleksandr Usyk is a special fighter, a once in a generation talent who can do things that nobody else can do.

Already an Olympic gold medallist and undisputed world cruiserweight champion, Usyk moved up to the land of the giants - the heavyweight division - aiming to repeat his success against the biggest and best that the sport has to offer. He succeeded in the most emphatic fashion.

Victories over Anthony Joshua, twice, Tyson Fury, twice, and Daniel Dubois - again, twice - have cemented his place in boxing history. He has solidified his position as the number one heavyweight of his generation, and entered the pantheon of the sport's all time greats.

For all of these incredible achievements, one of the most special things about Usyk is that he is every bit as impressive a man as he is a fighter.

The Ukrainian never fails to conduct himself with dignity and class. Whether it be when Joshua threw his belts to the ground after losing to him, or on the numerous occasions that Fury would shout insults in his face and try and push him around, Usyk remained calm, composed, and confident. A class act.

Ahead of their second fight, Dubois and his team continually disrespected Usyk: crashing his post-fight interview following his rematch victory over Fury to issue an ill-timed challenge; shoving him at the press conference to announce their second fight, questioning his faith and integrity in the build-up to the fight. Usyk's response? Remaining cool, dignified, and doing his talking in the ring, with a crushing, emphatic 5th round knockout victory.

A great champion, a great man.

Outside of the ring Usyk is a family man, devoted to his long-time wife and their children. He carries a cuddly Eeyore with him to his fights, given to him by one of his daughters for luck. He is a committed Christian, a reader and writer of poetry, and he is unafraid to show his vulnerability and sensitivity, particularly when speaking about the death of his father. He’s also very personable and funny.

Oh, and he can dance.

It doesn’t end there. Usyk loves his home country of Ukraine, and proved himself every bit the fighter outside of the ring when taking up arms and joining the army to defend his country, following the Russian invasion.

There are many things we can learn from Usyk. In an age when ideas about masculinity are being challenged, he embodies the best that men can be - strong, loving, sensitive, principled - and confident in walking his own path and being his own man, not losing himself to the expectations and demands of others.

Perhaps most significantly, Usyk stands as a symbol of hope.

His country insisted that Usyk continue fighting in the ring, rather than in the war. In a time of great suffering for his people, Usyk offered them hope. Among the bombs and the attacks, his fights offered moments of escape, showing that victory can be won against stacked odds and the greatest opponents.

When fighting a war with our own mind, one of the most important things that we can do is seek frequent ‘glimmers’; reasons for hope amidst the storm, counter-punches against depression’s attack. Usyk shows that such hope, such glimmers of light, can be found in even the most desperate of circumstances. And we should never forget that.

Where there is life, there is hope.

This post is extracted from our resource, 'Champions' Corner - Lessons for times of struggle from boxing's heavyweight kings'. You can purchase the resource by clicking here >>>. Alternatively, this resource is available for free as part of the 'Out Of The Blue Corner Membership Community'. You can find out how to join by clicking here >>>