Oleksandr Usyk is days away from his rematch with Tyson Fury, but boxing isn’t his only love.
One of the best pound-for-pound boxing stars finally returns to the ring on Saturday as he looks to inflict back-to-back defeats on the ‘Gypsy King’
It was Oleksandr Usyk who reigned supreme back in May, becoming the first undisputed champion of the heavyweight division since Lennox Lewis in 1999.
Now, with Tyson Fury out for revenge, the Ukrainian will have the chance to continue his reign as one of the best heavyweights of 2024.
Boxing may be Usyk’s first love, but there is plenty of other things he takes interest in. One of those being soccer.
And back in 2022, when preparing for his rematch against Anthony Joshua, he used the time in-between preparing for the contest to realize a dream that many wish could happen to them.
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Oleksandr Usyk played in soccer match for Ukrainian team
In February 2022, many were surprised to see a 35-year-old Usyk enter the field for Ukrainian second division side FC Polissya Zhytomyr against NK Veres Rivne.
Polissya were playing in a winter friendly in Turkey as part of their preparation for the return to their league campaign.
Usyk started on the bench but was the center of attention and was spotted shadowboxing on the touchline before being brought on in the 76th minute.
It wasn’t a groundbreaking performance as he missed a chance to score within 10 seconds of coming on as he swung and missed at a shot.
None of the Veres players seemed willing to tackle him – understandably – and the game ended 2-1 to Usyk’s side.
Oleksandr Usyk hints at return to soccer
While the fight against Fury takes priority the next question on everyone’s lips is: What will Usyk do if he wins?
There is an argument that he has nobody else to face and that he could hang the gloves up and the 37-year-old revealed that he will assess all options.
- READ MORE: Oleksandr Usyk reveals bizarre training methods with sports scientist ahead of Tyson Fury rematch
Speaking to the Stomping Ground on his next steps, Usyk said: “I’m gonna continue boxing, training, maybe I take some rest.
“I wanna play with my team Polissya and then I’m back in the boxing gym.”
Usyk signed a professional contract with his hometown club in 2023 after they were promoted to the second tier of the Ukrainian soccer system.