Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight title appears to have been misplaced in the White House, as revealed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky had a unique present for Donald Trump during his visit to the White House last month, bringing one of Usyk’s world titles into the Oval Office ahead of crucial discussions with the US president. Usyk, also known as ‘The Cat’, clinched the WBC heavyweight title after triumphing over Tyson Fury in Riyadh last May.
Usyk’s victory in Saudi Arabia marked him as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. The two fighters faced off again just seven months later, and despite Fury’s aggressive start, it was Usyk who once again emerged victorious on points.
Usyk and Zelensky share a close bond, with the former permitting the Ukrainian president to take one of his prized belts to Washington. However, Zelensky confessed to Time magazine that he is unsure of the whereabouts of the championship belt nearly a month after the visit. When probed about the current location of the 37 year old’s championship belt, Zelenskyy stated, “doesn’t know,” before remarking: “Maybe it’s still sitting there.”
The tension-filled encounter with US officials saw him perch the belt casually on a side table adjacent to an armchair. Later that day, a White House worker chanced upon the belt and swiftly relocated it to Trump’s private dining room – currently it sits as part of a collection of keepsakes, termed by one publication as “a remnant of diplomatic efforts gone awry.”.
At a White House sit-down last month, the talks soured rapidly into an explosive three-way verbal clash involving Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance, leading to the premature expulsion of the Ukrainian president before he and Trump could grace the podium for their planned press briefing.
Turning to Usyk, the boxing titan and two-division undisputed champion seems to be approaching the twilight phase of his prizefighting journey. Indicating he has started looking beyond the ropes, he commented: “I think two years, one-and-a-half [left in boxing]. I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare, not more. Just two.”
Ukrainian boxer Usyk is seeking a rematch against Daniel Dubois as his next goal and is also considering crossing over into mixed martial arts to face Jake Paul. Speaking to OLBG, Sergey Lapin of Team Usyk revealed: “Oleksandr Usyk wants to make his next fight against Daniel Dubois. Dubois is our priority, because he has the belt. We are waiting for the date of the fight with Dubois, we assume it will take place in Riyadh or London, one of the world capitals of boxing and Usyk will once again prove that he is the best fighter of our generation.
“Usyk has always cared only about fighting the best and creating a lasting legacy in the great sport of boxing. But in the future, as he further solidifies his place as one of the true great fighters, we’ll see what other opportunities open up for him. It might be great to step into the cage with Jake Paul under MMA rules, it would be interesting if there is money to be made from it. Also, we never say never about fighting the dangerous Alex Pereira, possibly partnered with Dana White.
“Dana’s move to boxing could open the door for more fights between boxers and current UFC stars. Dana is a capable guy, and with Turki’s abilities, they would create a very interesting project. It will bring attention to our great sport, expand the fan base, attract new investment and possibly increase the purses of the athletes.”
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