Usyk and Dubois have final staredown: Ukrainian takes to stage with Fortress Bakhmut flag

This was reported by Espreso TV.

On Saturday, August 26, in Wrocław, Poland, Oleksandr Usyk will fight Daniel Dubois for the WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles.

The day before the fight, the boxers had an official weigh-in. Usyk's weight was 100.2 kg, Dubois' 105.8 kg.

Before the staredown, Oleksandr Usyk unfurled a flag with the inscription "Fortress Bakhmut. Salty Land. Iron men". According to the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, this flag bears the signatures of soldiers of the 11th Border Guard Detachment and other units of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in the fortress city of Bakhmut.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs notes that the defenders of Bakhmut recently presented Oleksandr Usyk with a unique icon. The border guards of the Lviv detachment, who had previously visited the boxer, decided to inspire him to win and thank him for his support.

At the request of the soldiers, the unique icon was created by artist Oleksandr Klymenko. The artist depicted the Mother of God on boards made from an ammunition box as a talisman for Ukrainian boxer Usyk.

"It was the ammunition from this box that the border guards used to fire at the occupyoing Russian forces near Bakhmut. In this way, the soldiers supported Oleksandr and once again emphasized that Ukraine must win on all fronts!" the Interior Ministry added.

After the fight against Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk plans to fight for the title of absolute world champion against Tyson Fury.