Former world champion Vasily Lomachenko said before the fight against American Jemaine Ortiz that he is always proud to represent Ukraine at the international level.

The 34-year-old boxer noted that it was an honor for him to compete under the Ukrainian flag.

"You were born in this country, grew up with it. Our country allowed us to become an athlete representing it. Of course, this is very important for me, for all our athletes. You must represent your country. Of course, it is always an honor for me", Lomachenko said in the documentary Battle Lines: Lomachenko.

In addition, Vasily Lomachenko spoke about a full-scale war in Ukraine, which the Russian Federation unleashed.

“On the first day of the war, you can’t believe it, you can’t take it very seriously. But on the second, on third day you realize the reality and understand that this is a real war and a big problem for people. Since I felt responsible to my family, my country, and the people around me, I stayed in Ukraine. I went to the military, took a military uniform, weapons and stayed to defend our country," Lomachenko said.

Recall that from the first days of the war, Lomachenko joined the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky terrorist defense, and later joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The 34-year-old boxer then left Ukraine to prepare for a fight with Jemaine Ortiz.