More than a dozen war veterans from Ukraine were on hand when Oleksandr Usyk faced Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night and Usyk become the undisputed world heavyweight champion.

The Ukrainian has proved himself not just a generational great but an all-time one. His name is now among that of legendary heavyweights

Andrii, who lives about 70 kilometers (44 miles) from the front line in eastern Ukraine, had served two years in combat and described his injuries — a concussion and taking shrapnel in his right leg from an exploding land mine — as “minor.” Like so many other Ukrainians, he’s lost friends and loved ones.

After the fight, Usyk addressed his opponent in the ring, saying: “Sorry, this is sport. My people wanted this victory.” He also paid tribute to the Ukrainian soldiers defending the country against Russian aggression.

Ukraine's boxer Oleksandr Usyk speaks Thursday as he meets the Ukrainian war veterans at a hotel in Battersea Park in London.

Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois 2 LIVEDaniel Dubois has the chance tonight to record a victory over Oleksandr Usyk that some feel he deserved two years ago. A revenge job long in the making, the pair renew their rivalries at Wembley with the Ukrainian's unified belts on the line,

SportsLine combat expert Josh Nagel has released his top boxing picks for Saturday's Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois rematch for the undisputed heavyweight crown at Wembley Stadium

The Ukrainian's training partner explains what makes him such a force of nature ahead of rematch with Daniel Dubois this weekend