'More important': Ukrainian boxer's stunning sacrifice in fight with Russia

Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk said he has 'no fear' in defending his nation during the invasion from Russia.

Following a number of legendary Ukraine boxers being pictured joining the crisis, Usyk was recently photographed dressed in military gear back home.

HUGE: Boxing legends 'take up arms' for Ukraine against Russia

The undefeated Usyk - 19-0 - recently moved to heavyweight to defeat champion Anthony Joshua to win the IBF, WBO WBA heavyweight belts.

A rematch was widely touted to be coming soon in 2022, but Usyk said boxing was far from his mind as he defended his country from invasion.

And Usyk said he was 'baffled' such events could be occurring in the 21st century.

“Maybe, it will sound sentimental but my soul belongs to the Lord and my body and my honour belong to my country, to my family, so there is no fear, absolutely no fear,” Usyk told CNN.

“There’s just bafflement – how could this be in the 21st Century?

“I really don’t know when I’m going to be stepping back in the ring. My country and my honour are more important to me than a championship belt.”

Athletes take up arms in Ukraine

Usyk joins lightweight icon Vasily Lomachenko and retired heavyweight champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko in defending Ukraine.

Lomachenko, a three-division champ, took a photo dressed in military gear and carrying an assault rifle after he returned to defend his hometown in the Odessa region.

The startling image of the champ, who joined a territorial defence battalion, follows the path of other Ukrainian sport stars helping out in the war-torn nation.

Tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky also left his family in Hungary to return home and help defend his nation.

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