The super-welterweight had returned to his home country three years ago to renew his visa and had planned to return to Los Angeles – where he had trained since 2017 – shortly afterwards, but before his appointment at the US Embassy, the war began and left him with doubts as to what to do next.

He recalled to Boxing News magazine: “It was such a shock. For the first couple of days, I thought maybe I needed to join the army.

“The only thing I knew for sure was that I needed to stay home and save my family.

“My older brother and two closest friends joined the military straight away. I asked my friend if I should join too but he said, ‘No you are boxer not soldier.’

“He said it would be much better for me to continue my career and send money to support my country, all while holding the Ukrainian flag.”

Serhii stayed in his hometown Vinnytsia for several months before eventually receiving the green light to leave Ukraine and now he hopes he can inspire his countrymen with his achievements in the ring.

He said: “Russia is a big country and [Vladimir Putin] said it would take three days to win the war.

“But it’s now been going on for over three years because Ukraine is strong.

“Now my goal is to show people that Ukraine is a strong country. I win fight, Ukraine wins war.

“I want to motivate my people, because they motivate me.”