Heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk insists he has ‘no fear’ after joining Ukraine’s military

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Ukraine's world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk says he has “absolutely no fear” after taking up arms in Kiev to defend his homeland against invading Russian forces.

Usyk, holder of the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO heavyweight straps after beating Britain's Anthony Joshua in London six months ago, has joined Ukraine’s territorial defence battalion.

Speaking from a basement in the Ukrainian capital, Usyk said through a translator that he was prepared to kill the enemy to defend his homeland.

"If they will want to take my life, or the lives of my close ones, I will have to do it," he said. "But I don't want that. I don't want to shoot, I don't want to kill anybody, but if they will be killing me, I will have no choice."

While Usyk admitted his bewilderment at an escalating situation that has shocked most of the rest of the world, the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion believes he is ready for whatever lies in front of him.

“Maybe, it will sound sentimental but my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honour belong to my country, to my family, so there is no fear, absolutely no fear,” Usyk told CNN.

“There’s just bafflement – how could this be in the 21st Century?"

Oleksandr Usyk after beating Anthony Joshua in their heavyweight title bout at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Saturday, September 25. Getty

Usyk, 35, admitted the rematch against Joshua – which was expected to take place this spring – was far from his thoughts, saying he did not know when he would return to the ring.

“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt.”

Vasiliy