Everything you need to know about the reigning IBF, WBA & WBO heavyweight champion of the world Oleksandr Usyk.

Oleksandr Usyk

Born:	28th September, 1987
Age:	36
Birthplace:	Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine
Resides:	Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine
Nickname:	'The Cat'
Height:	6ft 3ins
Reach:	78ins
Stance:	Southpaw
Weigh Division:	Heavyweight
Professional Record:	21-0 (14 KOs)
Amateur Record:	335-15
Next Fight:	TBC

Cruiserweight King:

A decorated amateur career can lead to a false assumption that success in the professional ranks will automatically follow. 

Thankfully, just like his fighting compatriot Vasyl Lomachenko, Usyk adapted expertly. 

After just nine pro bouts Usyk comprehensively defeated Krzysztof Glowacki to win his first cruiserweight world title in September 2016. 

The WBO champion needed just two years to clean up the division beating the likes of Thabiso Mchunu, Marco Huck and then Mairis Briedis to become unified champion. 

Then came not only the biggest fight of his career but an opponent who many believed to be his biggest threat to date.
 

Oleksandr Usyk v Murat Gassiev...

On July 21, 2018, Oleksandr Usyk vs Murat Gassiev doubled up as a fight for the undisputed cruiserweight championship and the final of the division’s World Boxing Super Series tournament. 

Road warrior Usyk had already displayed his metal agreeing to fight Gassiev in Russia. 

Having been pushed all the way against Mairis Briedis in the semi-final taking on an undefeated heavy-hitting Russian in his own country looked a tall order. 

Usyk made a mockery of those who backed against him delivering a one-man show from the away corner. 

Scores of 119-109 (twice) and 120-108 were an accurate reflection on a night where Usyk ensured that the second-best cruiserweight in the world may as well have been the tenth such was the gulf between the two.
 

One Last Cruise...

The quirky Usyk earned himself a UK pay-per-view payday four months later when he waltzed into Manchester to defend his crown against Tony Bellew. 

Having earned a few quid by beating David Haye twice Bellew wanted to challenge himself against one of the very best fighters in the world.

Bellew’s pre-fight mind games didn’t lay a glove on Usyk and on fight night the champion delivered a brutal finish in the eighth round to sign off from 200lbs division. 

Becoming a two-weight world champion was now very much on his mind. 
 

Land of the Giants...

The heavyweight division has featured many giants in the 21st century. 

Height and weight have made the likes of Lennox Lewis and Tyson Fury look like super-heavyweights.

Usyk is no miniature himself though standing at 6ft 3ins but would have to rely greater than ever on his ring IQ and movement to become a force at heavyweight.

In 2019 Usyk dipped his toes in the division with a win over Chazz Witherspoon. The 27lbs difference was of no matter but the Ukrainian’s performance didn’t fill observers with confidence about his future.

Against Derek Chisora on Halloween 2020 Usyk had to deal with the rushing tactics of a British bull who looked to unsettle his gifted guest at Wembley Arena. 

Thirty-eight pounds was the difference that night but after a sticky start Usyk adapted and began picking Chisora off and earned himself a unanimous decision.
 

Oleksandr Usyk v Anthony Joshua 1 & 2...

Beating Witherspoon and Chisora wasn’t concrete proof that Usyk could then go on and beat a genuine world-class heavyweight and unified champion like Anthony Joshua. 

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium played host to their first encounter and the stadium crowd witnessed an Usyk masterclass. 

The argument of size matters beforehand played little part in what followed - Usyk outwitted Joshua who attempted to play chess with a grand master. 

The heavyweight division had a new superpower after Usyk ran out a comfortable winner on points.

Eleven months on from their first bout in September 2021 Usyk and Joshua travelled to the Middle East to tangle once again thanks largely to a rematch clause. 

Joshua was quicker, sharper, and crucially landed some hurtful shots on Usyk.

Going into the final three rounds the fight was up for grabs, but Usyk produced the goods when great champions normally do and rallied to defy Joshua and win a split decision. 
 

Usyk v Dubois

The win for Oleksandr Usyk was expected but no-one could have imagined the Ukrainian’s victory would be overshadowed by controversy.

For the nine rounds the fight lasted the unified champion was the superior fighters. Usyk’s jab, hand speed, combinations, and power shattered Dubois’ dreams of following in the footsteps of Bruno, Lewis, Fury and many more. The 25-year-old Brit tried as he could and arguably performed better than predicted but still lost every round.

However, the events of round five have left a few questions lingering in the air. Dubois landed a crushing blow to Usyk’s mid-section which was deemed a low blow by referee Luis Pabon. But was it below the belt? Arguments have been made for and against but after being hurt to the body by Anthony Joshua in their rematch last year it now looks like the great Usyk has a weakness.

Putting the drama of the low blow to one side Dubois had already tagged the same area before and after causing Usyk discomfort. The 36-year-old survived and used nearly all the allotted five minutes to recover in round five. For all the outcry that followed in the aftermath what can’t be forgotten is Usyk outclassed Dubois for the majority of the contest.

Undisputed:

Sadly, Usyk and WBC title holder Tyson Fury have failed to agree a deal to fight for the undisputed heavyweight championship. 

Earlier this year it had a looked at one stage that the two men would fight in April, but negotiations fell apart with blame being thrown from both sides leading to pointless social media posts. 

Since then, ‘The Gypsy King’ says there have been no suitable challengers so instead he will face former UFC champion Francis Ngannou later in 2023. 

One can only hope that wise heads will prevail, and boxing fans get the chance to see one of the biggest fights in the sport and in the history of the heavyweight division.
 

Oleksandr Usyk's Net Worth

The Ukrainian's net worth is reported to be $4 million dollars.
 

How to watch Oleksandr Usyk...

Fights involving Oleksandr Usyk have been regularly shown in the UK over the last five years. 

Any future unification bout with Fury is likely to be shown on TNT Sport Box Office.
 

Who is Oleksandr Usyk's trainer?

Anatoly Lomachenko, the father of three-weight world champion Vasiliy, is the current trainer of the three-belt heavyweight world champion.
 

Oleksandr Usyk's Next Fight:

The Ukrainian powerhouse has no scheduled fight at this moment in time, however a heavyweight unification fight with Tyson Fury has long been touted and boxing fans will hope the fight will be arranged in the near future.

Rumours persist over a blockbuster event in Saudi Arabia this December featuring Usyk v Fury alongside Deontay Wilder v Anthony Joshua.

Oleksandr Usyk Amateur Achievements:

• Middleweight bronze medallist - 2006 European Championships
• Light-heavyweight gold medallist - 2009 European Championships
• Heavyweight bronze medallist - 2009 World Championships
• Heavyweight gold medallist - 2011 World Championships
• Heavyweight gold medallist - 2012 Olympic Games
   

Oleksandr Usyk Professional Achievements:

• Former Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion
• Former Cruiserweight World Boxing Super Series Winner
• Current WBA, IBF and WBO Heavyweight Champion
• 2018 Fighter of the Year (Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Ring and Boxing Writers Association of America)