Oleksandr Usyk has invited former US President Donald Trump to spend a week at his home in Ukraine to witness firsthand the reality of Russia's invasion. The heavyweight boxing champion, who currently holds the WBC, WBA, and WBO belts, made this bold challenge during a recent CNN Sports interview.
"Donald Trump, please open your eyes, help my people," Usyk stated directly to the camera. "He should be responsible for his words. He said that in one day he would stop this war. He is not responsible for his words. Why does he speak?"
The Ukrainian boxer didn't stop at words alone. He offered concrete terms for his invitation to the former president.
"I will give him my house and my security guards. I will guarantee his complete safety. Let him live in my house for a week and see how the missiles fly overhead and how people live in Ukraine. Every night there are bombs and flights over my house. Bombs, missiles. Every night," Usyk emphasized.
Interestingly, Usyk suggested Trump should arrive in secret, believing that if Putin knew Trump was in Ukraine, the Russian leader might halt attacks. When asked if such an experience would change Trump's perspective on the conflict, Usyk admitted uncertainty.
"I don't know. Maybe he understands, maybe he doesn't. The Ukrainian people are dying. Not only military, but also children, women, grandmothers and grandfathers. For me it is difficult. I am worried about what is happening in my country," the champion explained.
This isn't the first time Usyk has addressed Trump. Just a month ago, he expressed disappointment at the suggestion that Ukraine should surrender territory during peace talks between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow.
By the way, Usyk's personal connection to the conflict runs deep. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, he was in London but quickly returned home when Russian tanks approached Kyiv, joining the Territorial Defense Forces in the capital.
Despite the ongoing war, Usyk continues his boxing career and is now preparing for his July 19 fight against Daniel Dubois for the undisputed world heavyweight title. Dubois, a British boxer, currently holds the International Boxing Federation (IBF) belt, while Usyk possesses the WBA (Super), WBO, and WBC titles.
Will Trump respond to this unique invitation from one of boxing's greatest champions? And could such an experience actually change the former president's stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
