Heavyweight stars Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua were in Kyiv on March 21, with Usyk hosting his former rival on Joshua’s first visit to Ukraine and showing him around the capital. The trip also coincides with a boxing card promoted by Usyk 17 Promotions in Lisnyky, just outside Kyiv, where rising Ukrainian prospects are set to be featured.
Usyk shared images from the visit on Instagram, saying he had given Joshua a brief tour focused on Ukrainian culture and introduced him to traditional national dishes. For American fight fans, the optics are striking: two former championship opponents now appearing together in a show of mutual respect, a sharp contrast to the usual fight-week theater that dominates combat sports headlines.
The visit comes at a meaningful time for Usyk, who has increasingly positioned himself not only as an elite heavyweight but also as one of the most visible ambassadors for Ukrainian boxing. Bringing Joshua to Kyiv adds another layer to a rivalry that was defined in the ring by Usyk’s back-to-back victories but has since evolved into something more respectful than bitter.
There is also a business angle here. Usyk 17 Promotions is using the event to spotlight young Ukrainian talent, and having a global name like Joshua around only raises the profile. In American boxing terms, this is the kind of crossover visibility regional shows rarely get unless a major star is attached.
Usyk is also looking ahead to his next assignment. On May 23 in Egypt, near the Giza pyramids, he is scheduled to defend the WBC belt against legendary kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. That matchup will draw plenty of attention because of Verhoeven’s name value, but the bigger question is how active Usyk wants to remain while balancing championship obligations, promotional work, and his role as the face of modern Ukrainian boxing.
For now, the image is simple but powerful: a heavyweight champion welcoming a former foe to his home country, with the next phase of his career already coming into view.