Following the Kyiv International Economic Forum, entrepreneur Vasyl Khmelnytsky published a column with conclusions from a public conversation with undisputed world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk. The key idea is that lasting victories are built on the “long game,” through discipline, consistency, and teamwork, rather than quick decisions.
According to the author, business and sports share the same principles: daily routine work, discipline, the ability to learn from mistakes, and reliance on the team. Usyk, using his own regime as an example, emphasizes that it is not motivation that matters, but habit and responsibility to the team. The column notes that long-term sustainability is created by investing in processes and people, and mistakes are seen as data for improvement.
The context of the forum is a focus on people and economic recovery. A charity auction was held during the meeting: gloves autographed by Usyk were sold for UAH 1,100,000, and the proceeds from the sale were donated to the Soborna Ukraine Foundation to support the children of fallen defenders.
“We are in it for the long haul. A champion is not afraid to lose — he learns. A strong leader surrounds himself with strong people and delegates,” Vasyl Khmelnytsky highlighted from the conversation at KIEF.
What does all this mean for business?
1) Strategy: prioritize long-term goals and sustainability over “quick wins.”
2) Operations: focus on establishing routines and process metrics rather than one-off spikes.
3) Team: build trust and fair rules, strengthen the role of department leaders.
4) risk management: formalize error analysis and a plan for corrections after each “round.”
Vasyl Khmelnytsky is a Ukrainian entrepreneur and investor, founder of UFuture. He initiates and supports educational and entrepreneurial projects, including schools and acceleration programs. A regular participant in KIEF, he writes columns on entrepreneurship, team development, and business.
Oleksandr Usyk is a Ukrainian professional boxer and undisputed world heavyweight champion. He is known for his discipline, team approach, and systematic training. He participates in charitable and public initiatives and supports projects to help children and veterans.
Undisputed world boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk (Ukraine) will play in a charity football match in support of the Ukrainian Red Cross (URC) in Lisbon.
“Today, Lisbon will host a large-scale charity Match of Legends, which will bring together world football stars and aims to raise over EUR 1 million to support charitable organizations, including the Ukrainian Red Cross. The undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk will join the match,” the URC announced on Facebook on Monday.
The World Legends team will include such football stars as Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Del Piero (Italy) and Javier Zanetti (Argentina).
The funds raised during the match will help the Ukrainian Red Cross continue to respond quickly to emergencies, carry out evacuation measures, restore housing, and provide psychosocial support to those in need.
Alexander Usyk won the title of undisputed world champion by defeating Daniel Dubois by knockout in the fifth round of the fight.
The fight was for the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO undisputed heavyweight world titles. It was a rematch: the boxers first met in the ring in August 2023, when Usyk knocked out Dubois in the ninth round. Usyk regained the IBF title, which he had been forced to relinquish because he was unable to defend it at the time, and defended his titles in the other three divisions.
Oleksandr Usyk won the undisputed world title by knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their fight.
The fight was for the undisputed world heavyweight title according to the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. It was a rematch: the boxers first met in the ring in August 2023, when Usyk knocked out Dubois in the ninth round. Usyk regained the IBF title, which he was forced to relinquish because he was unable to defend it at the time, and defended his championship in the other three versions.
“I want to thank all of Ukraine, all the guys who are defending our country. I received many messages from various units defending Ukraine,” Usyk said after the fight.
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk and British professional boxer Daniel DuBois will hold a heavyweight championship rematch on July 19 at Wembley Stadium in London, The Ring reports.
“Oleksandr Usyk’s rematch with Daniel DuBois for the Ring magazine world title and undisputed heavyweight champion of the world will now take place a week later – on July 19 at Wembley Stadium in London. The fight was originally scheduled for July 12,” the statement reads.
The reasons for the postponement of the fight are not reported.
As reported, in August 2023, Usyk defeated Dubois by technical knockout in the ninth round and retained the titles of the world’s leading boxing organizations.
The Ukrainian was awarded the fight 116-112 by all three judges.
Oleksandr Usyk won his heavyweight championship rematch against Tyson Fury by unanimous decision on Saturday, December 21, to stay unbeaten across two divisions and cement his place among the greats. The Ukrainian, who forced the pace and repeatedly tagged Fury with his accurate left hook, was awarded the fight 116-112 by all three judges, handing Fury his second straight loss.
Usyk’s win takes him to 23-0 with 14 knockouts and extends one of the all-time best careers that includes Olympic gold and undisputed champion at cruiserweight. “He’s a great fighter, it’s a great performance,” Usyk, 37, said of Fury, who was unbeaten over 35 fights until he lost their four-belt unification bout in May. “Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career.”
Only the WBA, WBO and WBC belts were on the line this time after Usyk, focused on the lucrative rematch, relinquished his IBF title rather than face challenger Daniel Dubois. By beating Fury in May, “The Cat” had already joined the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis and Mike Tyson as undisputed heavyweight, and the first of the four-belt era. “He’s my best friend,” he said of Fury. “I respect this guy because I think he’s a really tough opponent. Tyson Fury makes me strong.”
But the defeat opens up an uncertain future for the 36-year-old Fury, now 34-2-1, who announced his retirement in 2022 only to return to the ring. “I thought I’ve won both fights, but then again I’ve got two losses on my record now, so there’s not much I can do about it,” said the Briton, who refused to discuss his next steps.
Promoter Frank Warren also called the judges’ decision “nuts”. But Usyk dismissed his complaints. “Uncle Frank, I think is blind… crazy man,” joked the Ukrainian. Fury, wearing a Santa-style red-and-white robe and bushy beard, appeared to Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You, before a determined-looking Usyk strode out in Cossack gear.
The 6ft 9ins (206cm) Briton’s jab held Usyk at bay early on and he landed a jarring right in round two. Usyk caught Fury flush with a left as he raised the pace in round three. They went toe-to-toe in a punishing fifth round, with Fury pummelling body shots while Usyk launched a flurry to the head. In the sixth, he stung Fury with a clean hit to the nose.
The supremely fit Usyk, renowned for taking charge in the closing rounds, was the aggressor in the seventh, tagging Fury with a hook as the “Gypsy King” backed away. Fury regained the initiative in the ninth, wielding his jab and one-two combinations and leaning on the Ukrainian, employing his career-heaviest 281lb (127.4kg) of weight.
It was see-saw stuff as they traded blows but Usyk rocked Fury in the 11th with a lightning combination that ended with yet another left hook to the face. An Usyk uppercut to Fury’s chin highlighted a furious final round and there seemed little doubt about the winner as the Ukrainian sank to his knees, arms aloft.
Usyk, who briefly served as a soldier after the Russian invasion, then celebrated by holding up a sabre that belonged to Ivan Mazepa, a hero of Ukrainian nationalism who fought against Russian control in the early 1700s. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to hail the victory, calling it proof that Ukraine “will not give up what’s ours” after nearly three years of war with Russia. “Victory!” Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. “So important and so necessary for all of us now.”
Reports put the prize purse at an increased $190 million with Usyk, as defending champion, expected to receive the bigger share – a reversal of fortunes from May.
The fight sits high in the portfolio of Saudi Arabia’s oil-funded push into sports, which has drawn accusations of “sportswashing” its dubious human rights record. After Formula 1, the LIV Golf tour, Newcastle United and a swathe of ageing football stars, the conservative kingdom’s strategy confirmed its crowning moment this month when it was awarded football’s 2034 World Cup.
