Oleksandr Usyk marked his unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in their rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a gesture bigger than the boxing ring. Standing in the spotlight, Usyk raised a 300-year-old saber belonging to Ivan Mazepa, a 17th-century Ukrainian leader who fought for Ukrainian independence. The legendary saber is steeped in history and cultural significance. This is a powerful symbol of national pride amid Ukraine’s ongoing resistance to Russian aggression.
Ivan Mazepa
The saber is merely one of only three surviving blades linked to Ivan Mazepa. It is a rare artifact normally housed at the Chernihiv Historical Museum in Ukraine.