Marta Gichko 08:50, 21.07.25 UNIAN

A Ukrainian comedian’s joke turned into an internet meme and a diplomatic phrase from champion Usyk

During the final press conference before the rematch with Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk unexpectedly addressed the opposing team in English: “Don’t push the horses,” which literally means “Don’t push the horses” (the Ukrainian equivalent of the English phrase “hold your horses” – “don’t rush”).

Don’t push the horses – where did the meme phrase come from?

As UNIAN reports, the origins of this phrase are comical. It was not invented by Usyk, but comes from the Ukrainian comedian Vasyl Kharizma. It was he who used it in 2024 in the show “Interesting English” as a humorous translation of “hold your horses”. A fragment of the show with this phrase went viral, and the phrase itself became a meme. 

The phrase used by Usyk gave a new impetus to memes. It began to be actively used as a sound for TikTok and Instagram. Videos with Kharisma on TikTok are compared to Usyk’s speech at a press conference.

Dubois’ team was surprised to hear the phrase. Promoter Frank Warren even jokingly asked for a translator, and trainer Don Charles admitted that he did not understand the phrase.

Vasyl Kharizma also reacted to this moment. On his TikTok, he posted a meme video in which he compared himself to Usyk.

https://sport.unian.ua/player/DtPgiGv2?autoplay=1&tl=false&to=trueUsyk’s phrase provoked memes

Usyk – Dubois – main news of the rematch

The rematch between  Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois , which took place on July 19, 2025 at Wembley Stadium in London, marked the end of a dispute that began back in 2023.

The first fight between the boxers took place in August 2023 in Poland, where Usyk won by TKO in the 9th round. The fight was controversial at the time due to a punch to the body by Dubois, which the Briton’s team considered legal and the referee considered below the belt. This led to demands for a rematch.

In 2025, Dubois got a second chance, this time in a fight for the status of the absolute world heavyweight champion. However, Usyk left no chance:  in the fifth round, he knocked out Dubois , winning a convincing victory.