"The Russians offered it." Usyk tells who persuaded him to give up Ukraine

Former absolute world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk did not consider the possibility of fighting under the flag of another country. According to our compatriot, during his career in amateur boxing, he received several offers to change his citizenship, including from the aggressor country.

Usyk himself told about this in an interview with NV.ua. The 37-year-old Crimean noted that he was even offered to play for Ireland. However, he added that he was not interested in the possibility of moving to another team or living outside Ukraine.

"It was not only the Russians who offered it. Turkey offered... It was not a year ago, but when I was still an amateur. Turkey considered this option, Azerbaijan offered, Ireland offered. It's clear that they are neighbors. I didn't consider money, because I never considered moving to another country and playing for another country. I never considered that. I have considered traveling to other countries for my personal development. These travels help me develop. But not to live," Usyk said.

Earlier, the boxer spoke frankly about his attitude to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. The athlete also answered a question about whether he was thinking about a political career.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, Oleksandr Usyk presented the head of state with a championship belt previously owned by Tyson Fury during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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