аÄÃÅ¿ª½±½á¹û

Top 10 Facts about Oleksandr Usyk

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk is a Ukrainian professional boxer. He was born on 17th January 1987 in Simferopol, Crimean Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union. His parents originated from Northern Ukraine.

Usyk’s mother was born in the village of Rybotyn, Korop Raion and his father was a native of Sumy. His mother previously worked on a construction site before she decided to move to Simferopol to study.

Usyk’s father was a military man who passed through Afghanistan and worked as a security guard in Crimea. His parents met and knew each other here. Oleksandr Usyk has two siblings and is the firstborn in his family.

As a young boy, Usyk was a footballer who was being trained at SC Tavriya Simferopol specialised sports school of the Olympic reserve. However, his passion changed and went ahead to become a boxer.

He is the current world champion in two weight classes. Usyk held the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight titles since he fought and defeated Antony Joshua.

The other title he held is of being the undisputed cruiserweight from 2018 to 2019. He is the first cruiserweight champion to hold all four major world titles.

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk is regarded as one of the greatest Ukrainian boxers of all time with his great feat in the game. His 2021 victory against Antony Joshua put him in a rank which is held by a few boxers.

He is among the three boxers to have unified the cruiserweight world titles and become a world heavyweight champion. Usyk joined the league of Evander Holyfield and David Haye.

Here are the Top 10 Facts about Oleksandr Usyk:

1. Usyk’s Military Father met his Mother while in Service

The father and mother of Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk met in Crimea. His mother had been working in construction but decided to move on to Simferopol and continue her studies.

At this time, the father of Oleksandr Usyk was military personnel who had passed through Afghanistan. He was working as a security guard in Crimea.

The two met and knew each other in Crimea. This is how the family of Oleksandr Usyk where he is the firstborn was started.

2. His First Career was as a Footballer

Oleksandr Oleksandrovich Usyk (Kremenchuk, October 4, 2012). Photo by KuRaG on

Since his tender age, Oleksandr Usyk has focused on football. He played association football and trained at the SC Tavriya Simferopol specialised sports school of the Olympics. This was the club’s football academy.

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk played football up to the age of 12. In 2002, he decided to switch his career and become a boxer. He graduated from the University of Physical Culture.

3. Usyk had a Perfect Amateur Career with a Record of 335 Wins

Oleksandr Usyk began his amateur career in 2006. He participated in several competitions in which he won and lost some.

He won gold at the 2008 European championships and moved to the heavyweight. Usyk participated in the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships which helped him qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

At the Summer Olympics games which were held in London, Usyk won gold and outscored several competitors. After this competition, he retired from the amateur boxing league with a perfect record. He recorded 335 wins and only 15 losses.

4. He Earned Four Consecutive Wins in his Professional Career

Oleksandr Usyk – Andrey Knyazev boxing fight, Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo by Andriy Makukha on

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk turned pro at the age of 26 in late 2013. He began in the cruiserweight division.

On 9th November 2013, he made his pro debut in a fight against Mexican fighter Felipe Romero. Usyk won this match via a knockout in the fifth round.

A month later, he fought against 48 years old Epifanio Mendoza. He won this bout in four rounds.

On 26th April 2014, Oleksandr Usyk had a fight in Germany at the Koenig Pilsener Arena. He fought against Ben Nsafoah and won in the third round via a knockout.

5. Usyk Defended for his Interim WBO Intercontinental Cruiserweight Title Twice

On 4th October 2014, Oleksandr Usyk won his first major title. He fought South African boxer Daniel Bruwer for the Interim WBO intercontinental cruiserweight title. Usyk won this match via a technical knockout.

He went ahead and defended his title twice after winning it. Two months after Winning the title, Usyk fought against 35 years old Danie Venter and defended his title.

On 18th April 2015, Usyk defended his title yet again. He fought against Russian cruiserweight champion Andrey Knyazev. Usyk won in the seventh round after dominating from the start.

6. His Knockout Streak was Ended in the Win for WBO Cruiserweight Title

Oleksandr Usyk – Andrey Knyazev boxing fight, Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo by Andriy Makukha on

Before challenging for this major title, Usyk was used to winning his fight with knockouts. However, his knockout streak came to an end as he fought for the WBO cruiserweight title.

Usyk challenged undefeated Polish boxer, Krzysztof Glowacki, on 17th September 2017 in a very tough match. The match was entertaining as it went to the final 12-rounds.

Usyk dominated in this fight with the judges scoring it 119-109, 117-111 and 117-111 in his favour. The Ukrainian was dominant with his footwork, hand speed and spearing jab. His opponent got an eye injury which bleed all through the contest.

7. Usyk Beat Anthony Joshua in the UK for the Unified Heavyweight Champion Title

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk was the WBO mandatory challenger of unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. However, there was some tussle in the camp of AJ who wanted to fight Tyson Fury.

Oleksandr Usyk agreed to this challenge as he called out to the trainer of Anthony Joshua saying he needed more money. The bout was organised and took place on 25th September 2021 at Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium.

There were earlier doubts on whether Usyk could cope with the physicality of Anthony Joshua. The match went to the 12th round in which Usyk won through the judges’ decisions of 117-112, 116-112 and 115-113.

8. Oleksandr has Fought in Three Pay-per-view Bouts

Oleksandr Usyk’s open training primary to his fight with Andrey Knyazev. Photo by Andriy Makukha on

Tops boxers usually take part in several competitions and bouts organised by their promoters. The pay-per-view bouts have become the most popular in making more money.

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk has participated in three pay-per-view bouts in his boxing career. The first was against Tony Bellew on 10th November 2018 in the UK.

On 31st October 2020, Usyk participated in the second bout against Derek Chisora. The third was against Anthony Joshua in the unified heavyweight champion title.

9. Usyk Took Up Arms and Joined Territorial Defence Battalion against the Russian Invasion

After the invasion of Russia to Ukraine early in 2022, the plans to have a rematch of Usyk and Joshua were held up. Usyk decided to return to Ukraine to plead with Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion.

On 2nd March, Usyk confirmed that he had taken up arms to defend his country. He joined the territorial defence Battalion in Ukraine.

10. Oleksandr Usyk Holds an Undefeated Professional Boxing Record

Oleksandr Usyk – Andrey Knyazev boxing fight, Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo by Andriy Makukha on

Usyk is among the most decorated boxers in the modern world. He has participated in quite some fights in his professional career.

He has fought nineteen bouts in his senior career. Usyk has won all of these bouts without losing any making him undefeated. In these bouts, Usyk boasts of 13 wins by knockout.