Not that he is retiring just yet -- only giving up his belts.Although he was dissuaded from taking up arms in 2022, he told AFP last year that he had been inspired by "both the heroes of the past and the modern Ukrainian heroes who are now defending our homeland in the armed forces".Usyk can thank his late father, also called Oleksandr, for his extraordinary resilience in brutal bouts with two outstanding British opponents, twice beating Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.Usyk has been undisputed world champion at both cruiserweight and heavyweight and boasts an unblemished record of 25 victories, including 16 knock-outs, in as many fights.Usyk senior -- whom his son says was his seminal infuence -- was wounded twice fighting for the Soviet Army during their 10-year-long occupation of Afghanistan from 1979 to 1989."My father was a tough man, indeed," said Usyk."He taught me iron discipline, but he also taught me to believe in myself."He was the first to tell me that I would become a champion –- when no-one else believed it, and everyone looked at him as if he were crazy."His father -- whom Usyk recalled would have nightmares and call out the names of comrades who had died in Afghanistan -- lived just long enough to see his son crowned Olympic heavyweight champion in London in 2012."I inherited my fighting spirit from him," said Usyk, who returned from London and placed his gold medal in his father's lifeless hand.'God forbid'