After his victory, champion Oleksandr Usyk raised an authentic 17th-century saber of Hetman Ivan Mazepa

This marked the first time in boxing history that such an artifact was displayed directly in the ring. The Ministry of Culture noted that this gesture was not only a symbol of triumph but also a reminder to the world of the Ukrainian people’s centuries-long fight for freedom.

*Ivan Mazepa (1639–1709) was a Ukrainian Hetman and a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence. Known for allying with Sweden to resist Russian domination under Peter the Great, Mazepa symbolizes Ukraine’s centuries-long fight for sovereignty. His legacy remains especially relevant today, reflecting Ukraine’s enduring resistance against Russian aggression.

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