Thunder is roaring in both directions for Oleksandr Usyk: the boxing ring where he is preparing to fight Tyson Fury and DAZN PPV this Saturday, with the war-torn fields of his homeland. In particular Mail Sport interviewhe shared a sad moment beyond just playing. The Ukrainian heavyweight opened a letter from a former soldier with the same name, Oleksandr, nicknamed "Shket." This fighter from the Armed Forces of Ukraine poured his soul on paper, praising Usyk for carrying the torch of Ukrainian boxing.

"Dear Oleksandr," the letter began. "My brothers and I watch all your fights as often as we can and have all our hearts for you." Those words sound like gunshots, full of emotion and pride. The military reported ferocious announcements in Kyiv, Bakhmut, and Kherson, showing that each Usyk victory blazed like a torch that lit up the darkness of war. "We know what hard work and the price of every victory," he wrote, tying the blood and sweat of the battlefield to the spirit of the boxing ring.

Usyk, who joined the Kyiv Territorial Defense to defend his homeland, heard every word of arms as a call to arms. When he finished speaking, he looked up, his eyes burning with faith. "This gives me more motivation," he said. "I am very grateful to Oleksandr and our Ukrainian soldiers who support my country and fight to protect it. I will do this for them.

Mail Sport caught up with him in camp ahead of his rematch with Fury on December 21. But beyond the ropes, the fight in Ukraine looks like a storm cloud.