Oleksandr Usyk Expresses Desire to Amend Certain Phrases in Ukraine’s National Anthem
In recent comments, Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has sparked discussions across sports communities and the public at large about his wish to revise some lines in Ukraine’s national anthem. The athlete expressed deep respect and pride for the anthem, which symbolizes his homeland—the country he was born in and continues to represent internationally. However, Usyk admitted that he perceives some phrases within the anthem as inconsistent with current realities and his personal beliefs. "The anthem is a symbol for me, but some parts seem outdated. I would like certain lines to be adjusted because beliefs and societal conditions evolve over time," he stated in an interview with Mail Sport Boxing. This comes shortly after Usik secured a significant victory over Daniel Dubois, knocking him out in the fifth round at a major fight held in London. In this bout, all the major titles—WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO, along with the IBF belt—were contested. Furthermore, following his win, the Crimean-born boxer achieved his third time as undisputed world champion, and his second in the heavyweight division. After the fight, Usyk publicly thanked the Ukrainian Armed Forces for their ongoing support, expressing confidence in his future fights to uphold Ukraine’s honor. Several potential future opponents have already been publicly named, and fellow Ukrainian boxer Loma Congratulated Usyk on his victory. The international boxing community continues to recognize the importance of Ukraine's athletes in the broader political and social context, reinforcing unity and resilience amidst ongoing challenges.