26 Ukrainian veterans who served in the Defense Forces and returned to work at Metinvest Group and DTEK enterprises cheered for Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk directly at Wembley Stadium in London.
A bright mission
On the evening of July 19, boxing fans around the world closely followed the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois for the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion. Our veteran colleague was able to see this extraordinary action live. The Ukrainian guests also performed an important mission in London: as part of the global campaign "Battle for Light" by DTEK and Oleksandr Usyk, they focused the attention of the international community on the critical situation of the Ukrainian energy sector, its protection and reconstruction after almost daily enemy missile and drone attacks. The partnership continues under the slogan "The future will be bright, we must fight for it".
An unexpected journey
For Valery, this foreign trip was the first in his life: The Northern Iron Ore employee had a travel passport, but he had not been anywhere abroad yet until he was 40 years old, although he had dreamed about it. But no one could have predicted that Valery's first trip would be a trip to the capital of Great Britain for a sporting event of the highest level.
"When I received a call with the offer, I did not hesitate for a particularly long time: I understood that this happened once in a lifetime and I had to agree, especially since I had a travel passport," the veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine recalls. "Of course, I was very happy, because I respect boxing and watch the career of our Usyk."
Before the war, Valery Pinchuk had worked as a firefighter at the departmental fire department of Northern Iron Ore, where he got a job in 2014. On the very first day of the full-scale invasion, Valery had come to the military registration and enlistment office: it had been his duty as a reserve officer. According to the distribution, he had been assigned to the 53rd separate mechanized brigade, in which he served at the Donetsk front line.
After being wounded and concussed, Valery had been treated for a long time. But a serious complication had arisen: Valery had undergone a surgery, and soon he had been demobilized from service due to unsuitability. After a long (more than two years) and successful rehabilitation, Valery had returned to Northern Iron Ore, having the second group of disability. Currently, he has the third group and is a worker at the site for the maintenance of economic facilities of the production preparation shop.
Through the streets of London
On the first day of their stay in London, our veterans attended a press conference by Oleksandr Usyk, after which they talked to the famous athlete.
"The trip was very eventful and exciting. There were so many different excursions. I was turning my head around all the time and was taking pictures, and a satisfied smile definitely did not leave my face. We saw all the key London tourist decorations, all the iconic places by which London is known and recognized," says Valeriy Pinchuk. "Impressive architecture, cultural monuments, London streets, pubs, famous buses, lanterns... We oversaw a little on the life of the British, how they rest, communicate, how beautiful it is there in the evening... It was just magical! All the veterans met, became friends, communicated very warmly. There were also two veterans from Metinvest – from Zaporizhstal and Kamet Steel, with whom I became friends. I had heard earlier that Usyk was a sociable, friendly person, and I was convinced of this when we met. Indeed, he was open, sincere, joked a lot and poured jokes when answering questions. I remember the question about the traditional exchange of views between boxers – where the athlete looks, what he thinks, they asked him. He thinks, he said, only about victory, but looks not into the opponent's eyes, but into the gap between his eyebrows. It was interesting to hear about his path, about how his father instructed him in sports, about his first defeats and victories... It was such a simple lively conversation on life topics as between good acquaintances. At the same time, he radiated such willpower, such an unshakable spirit! Then there were joint photos and an autograph session: Usyk signed for me on one of the flags, which I brought home with me along with a bunch of souvenirs, magnets for friends and comrades-in-arms. It will be for a long memory!"
The veterans also visited the Ukrainian embassy, where they met with the famous politician of Great Britain and a great friend of Ukraine, Boris Johnson.
Powerful support
"Usyk! Usyk!" our veteran group chanted the whole match, joining other Ukrainians in the stands. Valery talks about the duel itself with special emotions:
"I was delighted! And this is to put it mildly. Beautiful fight! Our Cossack did the right thing. The spectacle was incredible - from the "ant" entry into the ring to the last second of the fight. I almost didn't even shoot a video of the fight, because I was watching the fight excitingly. The crowd around was insanely inspiring and, of course, this cannot be compared at all with watching boxing on TV. I cheered on deeply! But everyone broke our voices and the next morning we became hoarse. But this support, Usyk emphasized to us, he really needed it, so we tried hard for his victory, which he dedicated to all our defenders at the frontline."
