Boxing fans not happy as Oleksandr Usyk makes shock sporting appearance

Is Oleksandr Usyk still injured?

Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KO's) has taken some time away from boxing following his undisputed win against Daniel Dubois earlier in the year.

The Ukrainian phenom crowned himself as a three-time undisputed champion when he coolly broke down the hard-hitting Briton, before finding a brutal fifth-round finish.

The 38-year-old unleashed a monstrous left hand - which he has since coined ‘Ivan’ - that landed flush on his opponent's chin, folding him onto the canvas.

Usyk is in no rush to return to the ring and has revealed he won't return until he has recovered from an undisclosed back injury.

This has left challenger Joseph Parker with his hands tied, as he instead pursues a fight against Fabio Wardley in October.

However, his recent appearance at a football charity event has fans, once again, questioning the severity of his injury.

The Legends Charity match, hosted in Portugal, raised money for numerous causes - including the heavyweight champion's home country. 

The two weight world champion took to the pitch alongside an array of footballing icons, including Ricardo Carvalho, John Terry and Edwin van der Sar.

Despite the event's good intentions, fans have taken to social media to voice their displeasure, seeing as Usky's injury may not be as severe as was originally perceived.

Commenting on Usky’s social media posts, boxing enthusiasts left numerous scathing messages for the living heavyweight legend.

“Joseph Parker's team will be complaining to the sanctioning bodies", "WBO investigation incoming", and "So no injury then? You should be fighting Parker.”

It's still unclear when Usyk will return, although assuming Parker finds the path to victory against Fabio Wardley, the pair will likely meet in the new year.