The absolute world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk is in the spotlight again - this time not because of his fights, but because of his words about the main state symbol. In a recent interview with Mail Sport Boxing, which was released on the YouTube channel on July 25, Usyk admitted that he does not like all the phrases in the Ukrainian anthem.
" I would change some phrases in the Ukrainian anthem. I'm telling the truth about this because I don't like some phrases ," the boxer said during a conversation with journalists in Spain.
He did not specify which lines raise doubts in Usyk. But he added that the Ukrainian anthem, despite everything, evokes strong emotions in him and serves as a powerful source of motivation.
" It's always special for me because it's the anthem of my country, which I represent, where I was born and live ," the athlete explained.
In the same conversation, Usyk also talked about his first tattoo. According to the boxer, he got it as a kind of protest against his father. The athlete now regrets this act. As Usyk said, his father and mother were shocked and upset by the appearance of the tattoo.
" I was young and did it out of spite. Now I think it would have been better not to do it ," the champion added.
Thus, a frank conversation with Usyk touched not only on sports topics, but also on deeply personal views. His words about the anthem have already sparked discussion on social networks, and memories of the youthful protest only emphasized the controversial image of the champion.
