Why Did Oleksandr Usyk Pull Out a Sword After His Second Win Over Tyson Fury?

Ukraine’s pride and joy, Oleksandr Usyk, has once again proven his dominance in the ring by successfully defending his WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles against former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. However, it wasn’t just his performance that left the world talking. Moments after the epic battle concluded, ‘The Cat’ raised a gold-plated sword high up in the air. It’s a gesture that captivated fans and left many wondering – why did he do it? 

What message was Usyk trying to convey with this bold and symbolic move? Well, the undefeated pound-for-pound champion has answered that question himself. Usyk and Fury met for the second time at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During their initial encounter in May, Usyk secured a split-decision win over Tyson Fury to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. 

This time around, ‘The Gypsy King’ was out looking for revenge, but Usyk’s mastery in the ring proved too much for the Englishman. After what turned out to be another close fight, Usyk managed to do enough to tip the scale in his favor. Having proven his brawn and becoming the best heavyweight boxer in the world, he pulled out “the authentic saber of the remarkable Ukrainian Hetman (Field Marshal) Ivan Mazepa,” Usyk revealed on Instagram. 

“It was an honor for me to hold this unique artifact, over 300 years old,” he added. “For centuries, Russia has tarnished the name of Hetman Mazepa. Now that name is returning to the global media sphere and will receive the recognition it deserves. This is just the beginning!” For those who have been following Usyk’s story, he is a compatriot through and through.

ESPN’s Mike Coppinger reported on Usyk’s sword, sharing further details. “Usyk raises Ivan Mazepa’s authentic saber after his win over Fury, a tribute to the legendary Hetman who fought for Ukraine’s freedom and unity against Russia 300-plus years ago,” Coppinger wrote. “The 17th-century saber traveled to Riyadh from Ukraine, where it is normally preserved at Chernihiv History Museum.”

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Oleksandr Usyk took a stand by joining the country’s defense forces, ready to serve in its time of need. However, he was forced to realize that his victories in the boxing ring could inspire and uplift his nation in ways that extended beyond the battlefield. By continuing his career, Usyk not only showcased Ukraine’s resilience to the world, but he also became a symbol of hope and strength for his people.

Oleksandr Usyk recollects life in the Ukrainian army

According to a June 2022 report from The Guardian, the then IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk reflected on his time spent in the Ukrainian army. Swapping boxing gloves for a machine gun, Usyk patrolled the streets, gripped by fear. “Every day I was there,” he said, “I was praying and asking: ‘Please, God, don’t let anybody try to kill me. Please don’t let anybody shoot me. And please don’t make me shoot any other person.”

Despite his reluctance to leave Ukraine, wounded soldiers encouraged him to fight Anthony Joshua, believing his victory could inspire the nation. “They said if you go there, you’re going to help our country even more instead of fighting inside Ukraine,” Usyk revealed. ‘The Cat’ would eventually defeat Joshua twice, just like he defeated Fury twice. 

Regardless, he was haunted by the war back home and struggled to explain the invasion to his children. “My children are asking: ‘Father, why do they want to kill us?’ And I don’t know what to tell them,” he said.  

That being said, Oleksandr Usyk’s story is one of legends permanently etched in the very fabric of boxing history. Usyk didn’t just prove he was the best heavyweight boxer in the world but also uplifted his country’s name when his country needed it the most. What did you think of Usyk’s move to display the sword?