Oleksandr Usyk in New York: how a photo with Russian boxers was used by propaganda

Oleksandr Usyk in New York: how a photo with Russian boxers was used by propaganda

According to Главком: The reigning absolute world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk attended The Ring VI boxing evening in New York on February 2, 2026. During the event, Usyk took a joint photo with Russian boxers Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, which was later used by Russian media for propaganda. Usyk also shared a photo with German footballer Thomas Müller.

The Ring VI boxing evening took place at Madison Square Garden, where Usyk served as an honorary guest of Saudi official Turki Al-Sheikh. In addition to Usyk, Russian boxers Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol were present at the event. During the official part, a joint photo of Usyk, Beterbiev, and Bivol was taken, which later became a topic of discussion.

Russian media and Artur Beterbiev used this photo to promote their ideas, claiming about:

• 'sports outside politics'
• 'unity of Slavic peoples'

It is worth noting that Beterbiev has repeatedly expressed his admiration for the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, calling him his brother. This has caused some criticism within the sports community and society.

Using the athlete's image in propaganda

Thus, Oleksandr Usyk's presence at the boxing evening in New York and his joint photo with Russian boxers became a reason for speculation and the use of the image of the Ukrainian athlete in Russian propaganda.

This situation highlights how sports can become an arena for political manipulation, especially in the context of modern international relations. Given the ongoing conflicts and tensions between Ukraine and Russia, it is important for athletes to be aware of the consequences of their actions and interactions. Oleksandr Usyk, as a symbol of Ukrainian sports, may find himself in the spotlight not only for his athletic achievements but also for how his image is used for propaganda purposes.