Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk is a Ukrainian professional boxer widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted fighters of his generation. Born in Simferopol, Ukraine, Usyk initially pursued football until the age of 15, training at the SC Tavriya Simferopol Olympic Reserve Sports School, the club’s football academy. In 2002, he transitioned from football to boxing, a decision that would define his sporting legacy. He is a graduate of the Lviv State University of Physical Culture.

Standing 191 cm tall and competing at approximately 102 kilograms, Usyk began his boxing career in the heavyweight category as an amateur. He achieved major success by winning gold medals at the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympic Games. Turning professional in 2013, Usyk rapidly rose through the ranks, showcasing exceptional footwork, ring intelligence, and endurance.

In 2018, during his fifteenth professional bout, Usyk became the undisputed cruiserweight champion by capturing the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO titles. This historic achievement came during the inaugural World Boxing Super Series, where he also won the Muhammad Ali Trophy and The Ring magazine cruiserweight title. For his remarkable accomplishments, Usyk was named Fighter of the Year by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Ring, and the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

By holding all four major world titles simultaneously, Usyk became only the fourth male boxer in history to do so, following Muhammad Ali, Bernard Hopkins, and Terence Crawford. He also became Ukraine’s first undisputed world boxing champion. Notably, he secured his first world title in just his tenth professional fight and achieved undisputed status by his fifteenth — a rare feat in boxing history.

In 2019, Usyk vacated his cruiserweight titles to move up to the heavyweight division. By that point, he had defeated five current or former world champions within his first sixteen professional bouts. His transition to heavyweight further cemented his reputation as a complete and adaptable fighter.

On September 25, 2021, Usyk defeated British heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua to claim the unified WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles, joining Evander Holyfield and David Haye as the only boxers to unify cruiserweight and heavyweight world championships. He successfully defended these titles in a rematch against Joshua on August 23, 2022, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Usyk continued his dominance by defeating Tyson Fury on May 18, 2024, in Jeddah, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. He reaffirmed his supremacy by defeating Fury again on December 22, 2024, retaining the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles.

As of December 2024, Usyk remains undefeated with a professional record of 23 victories, including 14 wins by knockout. He is a multi-division world champion, holding titles in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, and has held The Ring magazine heavyweight title since 2022.

Outside the ring, Usyk married Yekaterina Usyk in 2009. The couple has four children — two daughters and two sons. Known for his discipline, humility, and national pride, Oleksandr Usyk stands as one of the defining boxing figures of the 21st century.

Source: Biyografiler.com