"The situation is changing": Usyk speaks about giving up Russian language

Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion of the world, has admitted that Russia's full-scale invasion was the impetus for him to finally switch to Ukrainian. Our boxer emphasized that many people in his environment are also refusing to speak the language of the aggressor country.

He made this statement during the Kyiv International Economic Forum, which took place on October 12 in the capital of Ukraine. The London 2012 Olympic champion noted that even before the war began, he tried to promote the Ukrainian language not only in public but also among his children.

"Before the full-scale invasion, I had already spoken Ukrainian at home, with my children, and gave interviews in Ukrainian before the Olympic Games. But 70 percent of the people I spoke to were Russian-speaking. But now the situation is changing. And I personally wanted to switch to the state language. That is, not just interviews, but to communicate at home, that is, to finally switch to Ukrainian. And February 24 helped me do that," Usyk said.

Also during KIEF 2023, Oleksandr spoke frankly about his fight against Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 24 KOs) for the title of absolute world heavyweight champion. According to unofficial reports, the fight may take place before the New Year or in January. In turn, Fury made a haughty statement about the fight with Usyk. And Oleksandr's ex-trainer Serhiy Vatamaniuk called for a serious attitude towards the Briton.

Promoter Bob Arum named a prerequisite for the fight. He also added that his ward would receive a 9-figure sum for the fight with the Ukrainian.

The media found out that the fight will take place before the New Year or in January. Recently, the legendary Mike Tyson announced his forecast for the superfight of the year. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has demanded that Usyk and Fury fight.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) reacted to the organization of the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury by naming a contender for the winner's title. And former world champion Andy Ruiz named the main problem of the Ukrainian's British rival.

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