UKRAINIAN president Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a special gift for Donald Trump on his visit to the White House.
The 47-year-old brought Oleksandr Usyk‘s world heavyweight belt into the Oval Office for Friday’s crunch talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky brought Oleksandr Usyk’s WBC belt to the Oval Office[/caption]
Usyk has twice beaten Tyson Fury and became unified heavyweight champ in 2021[/caption]
Zelenskyy met Trump at the door to the White House and shook the President’s hand before the seismic meeting.
And once inside, his entourage was seen carrying the WBC belt Usyk has held since 2021 after beating Antony Joshua.
Boxing fans were baffled to see the belt propped up on a table as the two leaders talked in front of the gathered press.
One fan gasped on X: “I hope that’s a replica.”
Another said: “Just why?”
While a third added: “I can’t think of anyone who deserves it less.”
And a fourth commented after the talks went south: “I hope he took it back after this meeting?”
Following the tense talks, Trump kicked Zelenskyy out of the White House and branded him “disrespectful”.
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Negotiations fell apart after a dramatic three-way shouting match erupted between Zelensky, Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Ukrainian hero Usyk has a proud unbeaten record of 23-0, with 14 of those wins coming by knockout.
He has been a unified world champion in two weight classes – first as a cruiserweight, before stepping up to heavyweight in 2020.
Usyk has beaten Joshua, Daniel Dubois, Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury twice to cement himself as the pound-for-pound king.
The world champion beat Fury for a second time in December last year to retain his belts in Riyadh.
Now 38, Usyk already has one eye on leaving boxing behind.
Asked about retirement, he told Sky Sports: “I think two years, one-and-a-half [left in boxing].
“I feel great myself. I feel I have two fights to prepare, not more. Just two.”
Usyk had indicated he would fight the winner of Dubois vs Joseph Parker, which was cancelled earlier this month after Triple D pulled out through illness.
Should Dubois win that fight, he believes he has what it takes to knock Usyk off his perch.
IBF holder Dubois said: “Run it back. My next fight I’m working towards [is Usyk], I’m ready for it now.
“I’m just getting better, improving. They say when you win a world title you improve.
“So I feel like that’s what’s happening with me.”
