Tyson Fury sends message to Klitschko brothers and Ukrainian boxers fighting Russia

Tyson Fury has sent a message in support of the Klitschko brothers and other boxers who are fighting against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The situation in Ukraine has shaken the boxing world, with several high-profile boxers joining the effort to repel the Russian attack.

The mayor of the Ukrainian capital city Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, is involved in the conflict. Vitali and his brother Wladimir have both joined their nation’s army in an incredible display of bravery.

Joining them in the call-to-arms is Oleksandr Usyk. The heavyweight champion announced his intention to fight in his homeland, stating (quote BBC): “My country and honour are more important to me than a Championship belt.”

Usyk’s honourable decision puts his rematch against Anthony Joshua into doubt. The Ukrainian heavyweight does not know if or when he may return to the ring.  

Vasiliy Lomachenko also added his name to iconic Ukrainian boxers signing up to defend. The three-division world champion has joined the Territorial Defence group of his hometown – known as the ‘Bilhorod-Dnistrovsky Battalion of Territorial Defence.’

Their bravery has made headlines worldwide and earned support from Tyson Fury opponents.   

Tyson Fury weighs in

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Fury fully backed his fellow boxer’s decision to fight, saying he would do the same if the situation arose. “We all would! Why wouldn’t you defend your own land?”

“They should be fighting for their country,” the heavyweight said. “If the war comes to the UK, I’ll be joining. Don’t you worry about that.”

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Given their level of fame, the boxers surprised many by staying to fight. Fury rubbished this notion, issuing support for the Klitschko brothers and others.

“What’s money got to do with it? If you’ve got no homeland to go back to, all the money in the world is no good to you.”

Fury gave his fellow competitors a rallying message: “Keep fighting boys, never surrender!”

A sporting connection

Tyson Fury has battled with the Klitschko family in the past.

Fury famously ended Wladimir’s undisputed heavyweight champion reign via a masterful unanimous decision victory in Dusseldorf. The pair never saw eye-to-eye, as the pre-fight build-up fuelled a lot of bad blood between the rivals.

Fury and Wladimir Klitschko maintained their rivalry throughout the years, but they never had a highly-anticipated rematch. A Twitter spat in 2020 is the closest boxing fans got to a sequel of Fury-Klitschko.

The Gypsy King has been rumoured to fight a different Ukrainian heavyweight in recent times. Oleksandr Usyk was heavily linked with a bout against the Brit, but ultimately an agreement could not be made.

Usyk even offered Fury a bare-knuckle fight in a spat where both fighters claimed one was ducking the other.

Despite all the arguing and fighting, Tyson Fury still showed tremendous respect for what his boxing foes were doing to protect their country.