Oleksandr Usyk
Good afternoon, dear readers! Today we would like to tell you about the biography of Oleksandr Usyk, a famous Ukrainian boxer who fights in the first heavyweight and heavyweight categories. Born on January 17, 1987 in Simferopol, he is 191 cm tall and is a world champion according to the WBO, WBC, IBF, WBA, IBO, and The Ring. His most famous projects are defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021 and becoming the absolute world heavyweight champion in 2018. If you want to learn more about this outstanding, talented, and courageous personality who has made a significant contribution to the development of boxing and sports, we invite you to read our article.
Contents
ToggleChildhood and family
Oleksandr Usyk was born to Oleksandr and Tetiana Usyk, his father was a military man and his mother was a physical education teacher. He also said that his father was his first boxing coach. He was in poor health, so his doctors advised his parents to enroll him in a sports section. As a child, he was involved in folk dancing, judo, and soccer, but boxing was the one that interested him the most. At the age of 15, he began training under the guidance of Serhiy Lapin, who recognized the talents of a champion. Usyk graduated from Simferopol Secondary School No. 11 and Lviv State University of Physical Culture.”
Oleksandr Usyk is married to Kateryna Usyk, whom he met at school. They have three children: sons Yaroslav and Kyrylo and daughter Elizabeth. Usyk loves his family and tries to spend as much time with them as possible. He is also a believer and not only a supporter of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, but also an honorary knight of the Order of St. Prince Volodymyr, III degree.
Education
Oleksandr Usyk received his secondary education at Simferopol Secondary School No. 11, where he studied Ukrainian, Russian, English and German, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, geography, literature, music, drawing and physical education. He graduated with honors in 2004.
After high school, he entered the Lviv State University of Physical Culture, Faculty of Sports Games. He studied the theory and methodology of physical education, anatomy, physiology, psychology, pedagogy, sociology, management, law, economics, computer science, boxing, football, volleyball, basketball, handball, table tennis, chess and checkers. He received his master’s degree in physical education and sports in 2008.
Career
Oleksandr Usyk started his career as an amateur boxer. He has participated in many competitions at various levels where he has shown strong results. He became the champion of Ukraine (2005, 2006, 2008, 2011), European champion (2008), world champion (2011) and Olympic champion (2012) in his weight category. He also competed for the Ukrainian Atamans team in the World Series of Boxing, where he won 6 out of 6 fights.
In 2013, he turned to professional boxing, signing a contract with K2 Promotions, a company owned by the Klitschko brothers. He made his debut on November 9, 2013, defeating Mexican Felipe Romero by knockout in the fifth round. Since then, he has fought 21 times, winning 21 fights, 14 of them by knockout. He became the WBO world heavyweight champion in 2016, defeating Krzysztof Glowacki of Poland by unanimous decision. He has defended his title four times, defeating American Tabiso Mchuna, German Marco Hook, Latvian Mairis Briedis, and Russian Murat Gassiev. In his last fight, he also won the WBC, IBF, WBA and The Ring titles, becoming the absolute world heavyweight champion.
In 2019, he moved up to the heavyweight division with the goal of becoming an absolute world champion in two divisions. He made his debut at the new weight on October 12, 2019, defeating American Chazz Witherspoon by TKO in the seventh round. In 2020, he had his second heavyweight fight, meeting the British Dereck Chisora. Usyk defeated Chisora by unanimous decision, showing his high technique and speed.
In 2021, he got a chance to fight for the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles against British superstar Anthony Joshua. This fight took place on September 25, 2021 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Usyk surprised the whole world by defeating Joshua by unanimous decision, becoming the first Ukrainian to win the heavyweight championship. Usyk dominated the fight, using his mobility, accuracy and intelligence. He also managed to withstand Joshua’s powerful punches, showing his resilience and bravery.
In 2022, he had a rematch with Joshua, which took place on March 12, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. Usyk repeated his success by defeating Joshua by TKO in the eleventh round, defending his WBA, IBF and WBO titles. Usyk demonstrated his superiority over Joshua by controlling the distance, knocking him out of breath and causing him injuries. Usyk ended the fight with a powerful left hook that forced the referee to stop the fight.
In 2023, he signed a contract to fight WBC world champion Tyson Fury, who was considered the best heavyweight boxer in the world. This fight was to be the first fight for the title of absolute world champion in the four-belt era. The fight was scheduled for December 23, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but was postponed to February 17, 2024 due to Fury’s injury, which he sustained in his last fight with Francis Ngannou. Usyk and Fury are both undefeated in professional boxing, with a high level of skill and charisma.
The fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury took place on May 18, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Here are some details of the fight:
- On the eve of the fight, Usyk and Fury held a press conference.
- During the weigh-in ceremony, Fury showed his disrespect for Usyk.
- Usyk defeated Fury in a fight that lasted 12 rounds.
- After the fight, Usyk became the first absolute world heavyweight champion in the 21st century to unify four championship belts – WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC.
As for the rematch, it is scheduled for December 21, 2024.
We look forward to an interesting match!
Achievements
Oleksandr Usyk is one of the most successful boxers in history. He is the first Ukrainian to become the absolute world champion in the first heavyweight division and the world heavyweight champion according to the WBA, IBF and WBO. He is also the first boxer to win all four major belts in two divisions. He is the 2012 Olympic champion, 2011 world champion, 2008 European champion, and four-time Ukrainian amateur boxing champion. He is undefeated in professional boxing with 21 wins from 21 fights. He is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world according to various rating organizations. He is the recipient of various awards and recognitions, such as Honored Master of Sports of Ukraine, The Ring Magazine’s Gold Belt, People’s Hero of Ukraine, Sports Illustrated’s Athlete of the Year, and others. He is one of the most popular and influential athletes in Ukraine and the world.
Conclusion.
Oleksandr Usyk is one of the most successful and influential boxers of our time. He has made a huge contribution to the development of boxing and sports in Ukraine and the world. He is an example of talent, hard work, courage and will to win. He is also a worthy representative of his country, his nation and his faith. He deserves the respect and admiration of everyone who loves boxing and sports. We hope that our article was useful for you and helped you learn more about this incredible personality. In conclusion, we would like to share some quotes from Oleksandr Usyk that reflect his outlook on life:
- “I am not afraid of anyone. I am afraid only of God.”
- “I don’t think about my opponents. I think about my family, my friends, my country.”
- “I am not looking for fame. I am looking for justice.”
- “I don’t box for money. I box for fun.”
- “I never give up. I believe in myself and my goal.”