Anthony Joshua asked Wladimir Klitschko how he could help Ukraine and donated to first aid groups his former opponent suggested
Anthony Joshua has revealed he has been in contact with boxing legend Wladimir Klitschko in an attempt to help Ukraine amid its war with Russia.
AJ will face Oleksandr Usyk in a highly anticipated rematch on August 20 in Saudi Arabia, after losing his WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles to the Ukrainian boxer in September 2021.
Getty
Joshua will face Usyk for the second time on August 20
The Brit lost his heavyweight belts in a decision loss to Usyk in London before activating his contract clause to force a second fight due later this summer.
After sharing an intense confrontation with Usyk at a press conference in London on Wednesday, Joshua revealed he had been quietly donating to Ukraine for months after speaking with one of his former opponents.
” I talked to [Wladimir Klitschko] on charitable donations. I saw what was happening and just wanted to know if there was a way to help,” Joshua told The Sun.
“I did this in private. He recommended that I donate to groups taking first aid to Ukraine.
Getty
Joshua stopped Klitschko at Wembley Stadium in 2017 in front of 90,000 people
Getty
Joshua and Klitschko are still close
Vitali Klitschko
The Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, took up arms to defend Ukraine
The British heavyweight has revealed that Wladimir, who along with his brother Vitali has become politically active since retiring from boxing, asked him to voice his support for Ukraine on social media.
“He asked me to make a video but I prefer to try to let my actions speak louder than my words,” Joshua explained.
“I try not to go out and buy Lamborghinis and Ferraris and big watches and gold chains and stuff and try to use some of my earnings to help other people.
“I now help people in Ukraine and Nigeria as well as my own community in the UK and my home town of Watford.
“I give to Ukraine now, when it matters, because it comes from the heart.”
sports Gt
