TOY SOLDIERS

Usyk fired up for battle with AJ

- DAVID ANDERSON

BOXING: USYK v JOSHUA 2

2 THINGS THAT ARE INSPIRING USYK ON TO VICTORY...

OLEKSANDR USYK may be fighting Anthony Joshua in Jeddah but he never forgets where the real battle is.

He is in constant contact with family and friends back home in Ukraine and they update him daily on the war with Russia.

Soldiers on the frontline send him messages, urging him to win for them and the people of Ukraine and he says it is driving him to beat Joshua.

"I'm motivated by the people of Ukraine, who struggling hard to defend are our independence, to defend our freedom and defend our culture, which other people want to demolish and destroy," said Usyk, speaking through his promoter and translator Alexander Krassyuk.

"I'm in touch with many guys from the frontline. They tell me they are praying for me and for my victory. This motivates me greatly.