Oleksandr Usyk was stripped of his Crimean honors after joining the Ukrainian army to fight against the Russian invasion

OLEKSANDR USYK was stripped of his honors in Crimea after joining the Ukrainian army to fight the Russian invasion.

Usyk put his boxing career on hold just months after sensationally beating Anthony Joshua to become the unified heavyweight champion to join the war effort.

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The Ukrainian was born in the Crimean city of Simferopol, but now lives with his family in Kyiv.

However, his actions were not well received by the chairman of the Crimean Parliament, Vladimir Konstantinov.

As reported by RIAhe said: “These are [people] who arranged and welcomed the Crimea water and energy blockade, who question the fairness and legitimacy of our return to Russia, who have tainted themselves with Russophobia.

“Such people are not worthy of a good memory.”

Crimea has been part of the Russian Federation since 2014.

Boxing legends Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko as well as former world champions Vasily Lomachenko all joined the Ukrainian war effort to fight the Russians.

Usyk has since left the front line to get back into training for a Rematch against Joshua.

Negotiations were then resumed Usyk received permission to leave his home country and both sides have agreed on a reasonable arrangement for the scramble.

At a performance on talkSPORTsaid Matchroom boxing boss Eddie Hearn: “The fight is over, everything is settled.

“It’s 100 percent Anthony Joshua vs Oleksandr Usyk, the rematch.

“We’re in the process of finalizing the location, his team is in London this week so we’ll be sitting down with them.

“I think in two weeks we will set the date. It will be July.

“And hopefully AJ three-time world heavyweight champion.”

Joshua, 32, was was turned over by the slick southpaw in their Tottenham clash last September and lost his control of the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles.

But Usyk’s preparations for the rematch are being overshadowed by the ongoing Russian invasion of his homeland.

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