Undisputed cruiserweight world boxing champion, heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk became the ambassador of the UNITED24 fundraising platform. He will focus on supporting the "Reconstruction of Ukraine" direction. This was announced during the athlete's online conversation with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Head of State thanked the champion for supporting Ukraine and joining the global initiative, which promotes fundraising to help the country.
"You are a victorious symbol of Ukraine, and today the most important thing for Ukraine is to have steps forward on any battlefield - at the front, in sports, in diplomacy. And forward means only victorious steps. They extremely mobilize society and motivate all of us to fight for Ukraine - everyone on their own front," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Oleksandr Usyk has been supporting Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion: at the end of February, he joined the ranks of the territorial defense, in September he represented the country on the international stage and defended the titles of the WBO, WBA (Super), IBF, IBO world heavyweight champion in a fight with the British Anthony Joshua. From now on, Oleksandr Usyk will help rebuild Ukrainian cities that have been destroyed by missiles and kamikaze drones. First of all, he will focus on the restoration of the Kyiv region, where he is already implementing infrastructure projects.
The athlete said that on October 20 in Los Angeles, at the famous Beverly Hills hotel, a charity evening and auction organized by the Usyk Foundation will be held. Some lots will be provided by United24. According to Oleksandr Usyk, famous American actors have confirmed their participation in the event.
"I am happy to join the platform founded by President Zelenskyy," said Oleksandr Usyk.
"We should join forces to convey the truth to the world community and strengthen support for Ukraine. The event on October 20 will be attended by many famous people, so I hope we will raise significant funds to help Ukrainians affected by the war," he added.
The champion also thanked the Head of State for the strong morale and position he is demonstrating today, for the efforts to unite the world community in support of Ukraine in its struggle.
In this context, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of keeping our country in the focus of the world's attention.
"No one should forget what is happening in Ukraine," he emphasized and noted that Oleksandr Usyk is now extremely popular in the USA and Europe, and this popularity is already working to help Ukraine.
"We continue the struggle and are glad to welcome the Ukrainian champion to the team of United24 ambassadors," said the Head of State and wished the athlete new victories.
In the United24 team, Oleksandr Usyk will join his colleagues in sports - Andriy Shevchenko and Elina Svitolina, as well as musicians from Imagine Dragons, creative director of Balenciaga Demna and American actors Liev Schreiber, Barbra Streisand and Mark Hamill, who recently became the first ambassador of the "Army of Drones".