One of the best fighters of his generation, Oleksandr Usyk is the undisputed world heavyweight champion who was previously an undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Oleksandr Usyk is a Ukrainian heavyweight boxer who became the first fighter to unify the cruiserweight division during the four-belt era in 2018, and the first to become undisputed world heavyweight champion since 1999.

Usyk followed in the footsteps of Evander Holyfield and David Haye by becoming a two-division world champion at heavyweight. He outpointed Anthony Joshua via unanimous decision in September 2021 in London for the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

He beat Joshua again by split decision in August 2020 to retain his belts, and over a year later knocked out Daniel Dubois to keep his winning record intact.

In May 2024, Usyk became undisputed world heavyweight champion after a split decision victory over Tyson Fury in an enthralling night in Riyadh.

Usyk’s status as undisputed champion will be brief with the IBF soon to strip him of their title as his contracted rematch with Fury in October means he is unable to face their mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic.

 

 

Unified heavyweight champion

Usyk won the WBA, IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles with a unanimous decision victory over Joshua on September 25, 2021, in London, England.

Usyk was giving up three inches in height and another one in reach, as well as nearly 20lbs in weight, but the former undisputed world cruiserweight champion's technical acumen came to the fore in an electric atmosphere.

Joshua finished the bout slumped against the ropes as his smaller foe looked for a dramatic finish and, while it was not forthcoming, Usyk claimed the WBA, IBF and WBO titles after he was given the nod by all three judges.

Scores of 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113 were just reward after a near-masterclass from the unbeaten Usyk, who became only the third fighter after Holyfield and Haye to win world titles at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

In August 2022, the pair fought again in Jeddah where Joshua fell to an agonising split decision defeat.

Usyk edged a thrilling contest 113-115, 115-113, 116-112 at the King Abdullah Sports Centre Arena to complete a second successive victory over Joshua and retain the WBA, IBF and WBO titles.

The all-out assault many were calling for never materialised, but Joshua's performance was far superior to that passive night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when he surrendered the belts in such disappointing fashion.

Usyk retained his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles after knocking out British challenger Daniel Dubois in the ninth round on August 26, 2023. But the result was not without controversy.

Dubois caught Usyk with a low blow in the fifth that put the Ukrainian down but was deemed accidental.

While some observers might have considered the punch to be on the belt line, Usyk was given time to recover. But Dubois sensed this was his moment and the pair traded heavy punches.

The bad feeling between the pair was evident as the bell sounded and Dubois continued to focus on the Ukrainian's body in the sixth.

Usyk upped the pace in the seventh, forcing Dubois to take a backward step and leaving the Londoner marked for the first time.

Dubois recovered in the eighth but in the final 10 seconds he was dropped to the canvas.

He managed to get back to his feet as the bell sounded but there was to be no respite for Dubois.

Usyk charged in again and put down Dubois again for the referee Luis Pabon to wave the fight off.

 

Usyk became undisputed world heavyweight champion after a split decision victory over Tyson Fury in an enthralling night in Riyadh on May 18, 2024.

Fury appeared to have taken control midway through the fight but Usyk came on strong and swung the contest in his favour with a powerful ninth round in which the Briton was saved by the bell.

Landing with hard left hands – his most effective shot – he had Fury in serious trouble and once a 10 count had finished, the three minutes was up to spare the pre-fight favourite any further damage.

Fury recovered but it was a critical round that swung the contest in Usyk’s favour, winning 115-112 and 114-113 on two scorecards while the third judge saw it as 114-113 against him.

It was a captivating fight full of momentum swings and drama with Ukrainian’s front foot gameplan and relentless pursuit of the favourite successful in adding the WBC belt to the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he already possessed.

Right from the start Usyk, who was conceded nearly three stones in weight and six inches in height, took the centre of the ring and was more aggressive.

Fury play acted against the ropes and started laughing as Usyk applied pressure and the second round continued along the same theme of the Briton getting backed up against the ropes.

The Gypsy King continued to be stalked around the ring as Usyk made good on his promise not to leave him alone.

Fury opened round four with solid work to the body and then made Usyk hesitate with a sharp uppercut, looking relaxed as he moved around and picked his shots with the jab often finding its target.

Another powerful body shot made an impact, Fury then fired a right uppercut and having conceded the opening rounds, the WBC champion was now in control.

The firth round was Fury’s best yet and in the sixth for the first time Usyk went into retreat, stung by two right uppercuts that left him needing to regroup against the ropes.

Usyk landed left hands to the body and head in the seventh as he resumed his chase of the bookmakers’ favourite and the round ended with him taking the fight, pinning him in the corner.

And the Ukrainian took his revival into the eighth as he continued to land with hard shots, directing one right on the nose to leave Fury touching his nose and right eye.

Fury was no longer moving with the same ease and after taking a right hook he was in serious trouble, Usyk unloading freely but somehow his opponent stayed on his feet.

Only the ropes saved the 35-year-old and he was given a standing 10 count count and was then rescued by the bell at the end of the ninth.

Usyk was too passive in the 10th as Fury had recovered from the assault that left him lurching around the ring, but another left hand gave him the edge in the 11th.

Fury needed something special in the final round but with his smaller adversary refusing to cease his pursuit, it did not come and for the first time he was defeated.

 

Personal life

Usyk was born on January 17, 1987. His place of birth was Simferopol, which is the second-largest city located on the Crimean Peninsula.

His career path was not always based around boxing. Up until he was 15, he played soccer and he was part of the academy for then-Ukrainian top-flight side SC Tavriya Simferopol.
The 34-year-old studied at the Lviv State University of Physical Culture and he began boxing in 2002.

Oleksandr is married to Kateryna Usyk and together they have three children. He is proud of his Crimean heritage and he has never had any intention of changing his citizenship from Ukraine to Russia.

 

What is Usyk worth?

In 2018, Usyk signed a multi-year promotional year with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing. This deal meant that he would be co-promoted by Hearn and K2 Promotions.

The latter was founded by Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko in 2003 and they have worked with Usyk throughout his career.

The Ukrainian's net worth is reported to be around $45million.