In March, Olek Usyk left his native Ukraine to train for his Anthony Joshua rematch. He wants the bout to bring visibility to the war against Russia.

Usyk is one of the major sports stars  in Ukraine today; indeed, he has cemented his place among the country’s all-time sporting greats.

Born in Crimea, he played soccer until he was 15. A year later, he began boxing. He’s a graduate of Lviv's State University of Physical Culture.

Despite his late switch to boxing, he won an amateur world title in 2011 and Olympic gold at London 2012. With a 335-15 record, he turned pro.

At 26, he made his pro debut  in 2013, having signed on to be promoted by the Klitschko brothers,  two giants of Ukrainian boxing.

Helped by his amateur exploits, Usyk got his first world title shot in only his 10th pro fight, in September 2016. He beat Pole Krzysztof Glowacki.

After defending his belt several times, he fought in the World Boxing Super Series in 2018, and beat Murat Gassiev to unify the cruiserweight titles. 

Five months later, Usyk earned a statement win by knocking out Tony Bellew, who had dominated the  weight class for years. 

He then moved to heavyweight. He made a hesitant start, waiting a year before his first fight - but within two bouts he had challenged Joshua.

And despite going into the fight as the underdog, in September he defeated AJ to be crowned world champion in a second weight class.

He’s out to become the first men’s boxer to be the undisputed world champion in two divisions, but first he had to give AJ his shot at revenge.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine saw him return to his country and forget about sport, but after spending weeks on the front line, he was allowed to leave.

Usyk lost over 20lbs while helping to defend Ukraine, so the Joshua rematch won’t be until August. He’ll be fighting for himself and for his country.