Oleksandr Usyk

Biography

Oleksandr Usyk, born on 17 January 1987 in Simferopol, Crimean Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, is a professional boxer who has won multiple world championships in two weight classes. He is regarded as one of the greatest Ukrainian boxers of all time and one of the best cruiserweights in boxing history. Usyk's impressive amateur career included gold medals in the heavyweight division at the 2011 World Championships and 2012 Olympics.

Usyk turned professional in 2013 and quickly made a name for himself. In his 15th professional fight in 2018, he won the undisputed cruiserweight championship, becoming the first boxer in cruiserweight history to hold all four major world titles simultaneously. His dominance in the division earned him the 2018 Fighter of the Year awards from Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Ring, and the Boxing Writers Association of America.

In 2019, Usyk moved up to the heavyweight division, where he continued to showcase his exceptional skills and ring IQ. In October 2020, he faced Derek Chisora, winning a unanimous decision and solidifying his position as a top contender.

Usyk's crowning achievement in the heavyweight division came on 25 September 2021, when he defeated Anthony Joshua to claim the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. The Ukrainian masterfully out boxed Joshua over 12 rounds, proving his technical prowess and speed could overcome his opponent's size and power advantages. This victory made Usyk only the third boxer in history to win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight, joining Evander Holyfield and David Haye.

Outside the ring, Usyk is known for his humility, sense of humour, and dedication to his family and Orthodox Christian faith. When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Usyk took a stand, joining his homeland's territorial defence forces. He later left Ukraine to prepare for his rematch with Anthony Joshua, which he won by split decision on 20 August 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He retained his heavyweight titles and won the vacant Ring magazine title.

Usyk's journey from talented amateur to elite professional has been remarkable. His technical skills, ring intelligence, and adaptability have allowed him to succeed across multiple weight classes, cementing his place among the greatest boxers of his generation.

As of 2023, Usyk remains the unified heavyweight champion and is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world. His accomplishments in the sport, coupled with his character and resilience outside the ring, have made him a national hero in Ukraine and an inspiration to fans around the globe.