The Ukrainian undisputed boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has agreed to participate in a charity football match in Portugal organized by Legends Charity Game. Usyk will be the only athlete who has never previously been a professional footballer, and on the field will be legends of the host national team and world stars.
“All the other players are former footballers, but when Oleksandr Usyk asks if he can play, you say ‘yes’.”
– Founder and CEO of Sport Global, Rasmus Soimark
Context of Usyk’s involvement in the charity match
Usyk suffered a back injury and requested time to recover. As a result, the boxer received a 90-day postponement to arrange the bout for the WBO world title.
After defeating Briton Daniel Dubois, Usyk became the mandatory challenger to defend the WBO belt from New Zealand’s Joseph Parker. In late July, the organization ordered the boxers to begin negotiations for the bout; the camps were given 30 days to agree on the fight, but Usyk requested a postponement due to the injury.
After the initial medical examination, doctors recommended Usyk refrain from sports, engage in physiotherapy and rest to recover faster. However, later a video appeared online showing the boxer dancing in the company of Ukrainian singer Nadia Dorofeeva; the publication drew pressure from the WBO – Usyk was required to undergo a re-examination to ensure that the boxer is truly prohibited from stepping into the ring in the near future.
The charity match between world football stars and Portugal’s national team legends is scheduled for Monday, September 15.
Usyk’s involvement in this football event underscores his desire to support charitable initiatives and to combine sport with good causes, even amid temporary career restrictions.