Usyk was born in Simferopol, Crimean Oblast, Ukrainian SSR. Till age fifteen, he played association football and was skilled at the SC Tavriya Simferopol specialised sports university of Olympic reserve (club's football academy). In 2002 Usyk switched to boxing. He is a graduate of Lviv State College of Actual physical Lifestyle.
Newbie profession[edit]
For the 2006 European Championships he won his to start with 3 matches versus little-recognized oleksandr usyk opponents, while in the semi-last he misplaced to Russian Matvey Korobov.
He then moved around light-weight-heavyweight later on and gained the Strandja Cup in 2008.
In February 2008, he moved up A different weightclass and was despatched on the Olympic qualifier in Roseto degli Abruzzi changing European Winner Denys Poyatsyka. There he defeated world course Azeri Elchin Alizade and Daniel Price tag.[three]
At the 2008 Olympic Video games, Usyk outpointed Yushan Nijiati by 23–4, but dropped to Clemente Russo by 4–seven inside the quaterfinal.
He dropped right down to light-weight-heavyweight and won gold on the 2008 European Championships, but afterwards moved again as many as heavyweight. For the 2011 Earth Newbie Boxing Championships he beat Artur Beterbiev and Teymur Mammadov to earn the heavyweight title and qualify for the 2012 Summertime Olympics.
In the 2012 Olympic Games in London, Usyk won the gold medal, beating Artur Beterbiev, Tervel Pulev and Italy's Clemente Russo, outscoring him by six–three in the final.[4]
Usyk left amateur boxing that has a report of 335−15.[5]
Experienced career[edit]
Early job[edit]
Usyk turned Professional in late 2013 in the age of 26 and signed a marketing contend with the Klitschko brothers' K2 Promotions, battling while in the Cruiserweight division.[six]
On 9 November 2013 Usyk designed his Qualified debut by defeating Mexican fighter Felipe Romero via a fifth-spherical knockout. The following thirty day period he stopped 38 year aged Epifanio Mendoza in four rounds. In his third Experienced fight on April 2014, Usyk made his debut in Germany within the undercard of Klitschko-Leapai on the Koenig Pilsener Arena defeating Ben Nsafoah through 3rd-round knockout.[seven] A month later on, Usyk returned property and knocked out Cesar David Crenz in spherical four, obtaining knocked him down in spherical 3 in addition.
Stand up the ranks[edit]
Usyk won his to start with title on four October 2014 just after beating South African boxer Daniel Bruwer via spherical 7 specialized knockout with the Interim WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title.[8] Usyk defended the title two months afterwards halting 35 12 months previous Danie Venter in spherical nine.[nine] Usyk was ahead on all a few judges' scorecards at the time of stoppage.
Usyk designed Yet another defence in April 2015 from former Russian cruiserweight winner Andrey Knyazev (11-1, 6 KOs) in Kiev. After seven a single-sided rounds, referee Mickey Vann finally stopped the fight in round 8 following selecting Knyazev had taken sufficient beating. This acquire stored Usyk on the right track into a WBO title combat from then winner Marco Huck.[ten]
In August 2015, Usyk defeated former South African light-weight heavyweight winner Johnny Muller by way of 3rd-round complex knockout on the Activity Palace in Kiev, which saw Usyk Manage the fight which has a jab. Usyk knocked down Muller 2 times in round 3 and Whilst Muller protested, referee waved the struggle off with just one next in the round remaining.[11]
Usyk produced a fourth and remaining defense versus unknown Cuban boxer Pedro Rodriguez inside of a scheduled 12 spherical struggle on 12 December at the Sport Palace. Usyk gained the combat scoring his 9th straight knockout in as many fights, very first dropping Rodriguez in spherical 6 with the uppercut prior to the fight was stopped in round seven, being knocked down once more, Despite the fact that he conquer the count. This gain place Usyk at WBO's #1 position, by using a World title fight to the playing cards for 2016.[12]
WBO cruiserweight winner[edit]
Usyk vs. Głowacki[edit]
In June 2016, it absolutely was introduced that Usyk would challenge undefeated Polish boxer Krzysztof Głowacki (26-0, 16 KOs) for his WBO cruiserweight winner on seventeen September within the Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland.[13][14][fifteen] It had been documented that Usyk's trainer James Ali Bashir wished to recruit former globe winner Antonio Tarver for a sparring husband or wife. It had been stated that Tarver not just asked for too much money, but he also wished to appear on the cardboard being a co-highlighted primary party.[sixteen] Głowacki weighed 199.three lbs, which Usyk coming in slightly lighter at 198.seventy five lbs ..[17] The fight was proven survive Sky Sports activities in the united kingdom.[18] Over the evening, Usyk outpointed Głowacki soon after an exciting twelve spherical fight Along with the judges scoring it 119–109, 117–111, and 117–111 all in Usyk's favour. The choice acquire also finished Usyk's run of having gained his opening 9 fights by using stoppage. Usyk dominated the struggle by using a jab, eventually injuring Głowacki's eye early inside the combat main it to at some point bleed. The Reduce continued to bleed for the remainder of The competition. Usyk also utilised his dominant hand velocity and footwork which helped him rating the choice win.[19][twenty]
Usyk vs. Mchunu[edit]
Usyk announced he would be producing his American debut over the Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith Jr. card on seventeen December 2016. The combat would take place at the Discussion board in Inglewood, California.[21] On 11 November K2 Promotions declared Usyk could well be defending his WBO title in opposition to 28 12 months old South African boxer Thabiso Mchunu (17-two, eleven KOs). Mchunu Formerly lost to Ilunga Makabu by using 11th round stoppage, Though currently being forward on the scorecards at time.[22][23] Usyk broke down Mchunu eventually halting him inside the ninth spherical. Previous to the stoppage, Usyk also knocked Mchunu down within the sixth spherical. In round nine, Usyk knocked Mchunu down twice in. The fight was halted by referee Lou Moret soon after the second knockdown. Although the combat commenced pretty slow, the enthusiasts in attendance started to boo. The speed was picked up following the primary couple of rounds, when Usyk commenced connecting with his trademark combos.[24] CompuBox statistics showed that Usyk landed 163 of 517 punches thrown (32%), and Mchunu landed 76 of his 278 (27%).[25]
The Formal time of your stoppage was at two:53. Previous to the fight, Usyk spoke of his want to struggle other cruiserweight titlists in addition to fighting Anthony Joshua at heavyweight.[26][27] The combat averaged 560,000 viewers on HBO, this was regarded superior numbers looking at it had been Usyk's HBO debut and over the undercard.[28]
Usyk vs. Hunter[edit]
K2 Promotions declared that Usyk might be returning on regular HBO to protect his cruiserweight environment title in April 2017. He was at first prepared to look around the undercard of your Golovkin-Jacobs HBO PPV in March at Madison Sq. Garden, however due to the fact Roman Gonzalez and Carlos Cuadras have been scheduled to look in individual fights rather than fight one another, Usyk was pulled within the card.[29]
On 12 February 2017, Usyk announced that he experienced parted ways with while trainer James Ali Bashir and changed him with Vasyl Lomachenko's father and trainer, Anatoly Lomachenko.[30][31] Bob Arum introduced that Usyk could be A part of a triple header such as Vasyl Lomachenko in the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on 8 April 2017 from Michael Hunter (twelve-0, 8 KOs).[32] Usyk weighed 199.4 whilst Hunter arrived in at 199 lbs.[33] In front of a marketed out crowd of 2,828, where there was the greater part Ukrainian followers in attendance, Usyk was taken the gap for the 2nd time in his vocation and received a fairly a single-sided unanimous selection to keep his WBO title. Hunter unexpectedly controlled the initial 3 rounds at the rear of the jab. It was not until finally the fourth spherical, when Usyk took Charge of the bout working with his still left and connecting nicely to your body to gain the greater part of the remainder rounds. Pundits thought Hunter was gifted likely the space and the battle must have been stopped by referee Invoice Clancy in the championship rounds. In spherical 12, it appeared in the last minute, Hunter, even though using punches, was only standing due to the ropes where by Keeping him up. Referee halted the combat and gave Hunter a standing eight rely, ruling it a knockdown for Usyk. All 3 judges scored the struggle unanimously 117–110 for Usyk. Even though it took him a handful of rounds to receive in the battle, Usyk was proud of his effectiveness and called out other titleholders, "I'm incredibly satisfied with my effectiveness,. I did what I wanted to do. He took a great deal of punches. I believed maybe they would halt the battle (from the twelfth spherical). I'd love to combat any in the titleholders, any time, anywhere."[34]
In line with CompuBox punch stats, Usyk landed 321 of his 905 punches thrown, 36%. Hunter managed to land 24% of his punches, connecting a hundred ninety of 794.[35] The struggle drew an average of 679,000 viewers on HBO and peaked at 774,000 viewers.[36][37]
Entire world Boxing Super Sequence[edit]
Main post: 2017–eighteen Entire world Boxing Super Series – cruiserweight division
On 1 July 2015, Usyk lastly introduced that he would be a part of fellow cruiserweights Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Yunier Dorticos, Marco Huck and Krzysztof Włodarczyk during the eight-man bracket fashion tournament, owing to get started on in September 2017. He reported, "I truly feel pleased and influenced with the idea of this type of Event. I've been dreaming of Placing together all of the champs to determine that is the strongest and turns into the undisputed king of the division." The attract was to occur on July eight in Monte Carlo. The winner from the tournament would get a grand income prize as well as Muhammad Ali trophy.[38]
Usyk vs. Huck[edit]
With the Draft Gala, Usyk, who had first decide on, chose to struggle former WBO champion Marco Huck (40–4–one, 27 KOs). When requested why he chose Huck, Usyk said, "As a consequence of my admirers." Huck, who was Similarly excited, replied that Usyk was his 'want opponent'.[39] On 26 July it was announced which the struggle would occur within the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin on nine September 2017. This would mark the next time Usyk would struggle in Germany in his professional profession, possessing fought there on his third Skilled bout in April 2014. It will also mark the very first struggle on the Match.[40][forty one][forty two]
On six September 2017, at the final presser, Huck pushed Usyk from the face-off. With regard on the shove, Huck reported, "I planned to demonstrate Usyk that he is my hometown and that he needs to be organized for that fight of his life on Saturday." Usyk, who remained professional and calm, replied, "If you would like be an awesome winner, You need to conquer the most effective and Huck is one of the best. I selected to enter this Match as it is a route to realize my dream of unifying each of the belts. There’s a prestigious trophy at stake as well, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. We were being born on the exact same day and I like Ali because He's the greatest function design in boxing and I will thank God if I get a trophy along with his title on it."[forty three] As he was leaving the making, Usyk claimed he would 'bury' Huck.[forty four]
On combat evening, Usyk employed his footwork and mix punching to cruise to some TKO earn. On top of his dominant efficiency, Usyk taunted Huck throughout the struggle. In round 8, Usyk tripped on Huck's ft and Huck missing a degree over the scorecards as he threw a punch at Usyk in the event the latter was down. Usyk ongoing to land combos with very little to no reaction from Huck till referee Robert Byrd stopped the struggle inside the tenth round. With all the earn, Usyk progressed to your semi-final stage in the Super Collection and was to encounter the winner in the Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez, scheduled for thirty September.[forty five][forty six]
Usyk vs. Briedis[edit]
Usyk would future fight Mairis Briedis (23–0, 18 KOs) pursuing the latter's earn more than Perez through unanimous decision.[forty seven][forty eight][49] In November 2017, it had been claimed the struggle would take place on 27 January 2018 in Riga, Latvia, each week in advance of Gassiev vs. Dorticos will take area.[50] Arēna Rīga was confirmed as the location by Comosa's Chief Boxing Officer Kalle Sauerland.[fifty one] Usyk came in at 199.five kilos and Briedis weighed 199.one kilos.[52] Usyk moved on to the final of your tournament following defeating Briedis by means of greater part choice. Having a large get the job done level, Usyk controlled almost all of the struggle together with his jab placed on stress when essential. Briedis was credited with landing the more more durable punches. The opening four rounds were being carefully contested and Usyk was Slice from a head-butt around his right eye in spherical 3. From spherical five, Usyk turned busier and took Charge of the battle, Despite the fact that he was nevertheless hit with a few hard photographs to The top from Briedis. A single choose scored the struggle 114–114, whilst the remaining two judges scored the battle 115–113 in favour of Usyk giving him the win. Once the combat, Usyk mentioned it had been the toughest struggle of his profession.[fifty three][54] According to CompuBox Stats, Usyk landed 212 of 848 punches thrown (twenty five%) and Briedis was a lot more correct, landing 195 of his 579 thrown (33.7%). Usyk landed forty% of his power punches.[55] A lot of boxers and pundits praised the battle.[56]
Usyk vs. Gassiev[edit]
After Usyk defeat Briedis, it absolutely was introduced inside the publish-struggle push convention that the ultimate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, would occur on eleven May 2018.[fifty seven] Nonetheless, once Murat Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs) stopped Yunier Dorticos, putting together the final, the secretary general in the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, stated that he would thrust ahead as a way to outbid Saudi Arabia and have the final of the Match take place in Russia to the Working day of Russian Boxing on 22 July. On sixteen April, it absolutely was described that Usyk had endured an elbow personal injury in the course of training, pushing the final to maybe June or July 2018.[58][59] On eighteen June, at a press convention, Kremlev declared the ultimate would happen on 21 July in the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia.[sixty] On 29 June, the ultimate was officially confirmed.[61] On the discharge date, 7,000 tickets were sold.[sixty two] Equally boxers arrived in at 198.forty five pounds within the weigh-in.[63]
Usyk speedily took Charge of the fight, shifting rapidly and working with his "lovely, commandeering jab". Irrespective of experiencing a hostile hometown group, Usyk controlled the fight, not allowing for Gassiev to utilize his ability. Gassiev didn't land a sound punch until the end of spherical 2. In keeping with lots of stories, Usyk outclassed, outboxed, and dominated Gassiev. The result was never in question as Usyk was declared winner by unanimous selection Along with the scores of 120–108, 119–109, and 119–109.[64] Muhammad Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali presented the trophy to Usyk. Following the struggle, each combatants ended up exemplars of fine sportsmanship, embracing, with Gassiev saying "I'd the most beneficial opponent of my Specialist occupation ... nowadays is Oleksandr's working day". Usyk humbly adding "My team made me appear to be I seemed during the ring. This really is our victory". The acquire made Usyk the first ever 4-belt undisputed cruiserweight champion.[65][66] Usyk dominated throughout, landing 252 of 939 thrown punches (27%), when compared with Gassiev's 91 landed of 313 thrown (29%). Usyk used his outstanding conditioning to complete the fight, also raising his output by landing 47 of 117 punches thrown in round 12. Usyk managed to resist the 32 electrical power physique shots he received and ongoing to move across the ring.[sixty seven]
When asked who he would want to battle upcoming, Usyk reported, "At this time I've heard that Tony Bellew desires to combat the winner on the Muhammad Ali Trophy. I hope He'll see me conversing.... 'hey Tony Bellew, are you All set?' If he does not need to go down, I'll go up for him. I will take in extra spaghetti for my supper!" Also once the struggle Usyk explained: "Olympic [stadium], thanks. People today, countrymen and those who supported. Moscow 2018. Bang! Daddy's from the setting up!".[68][69]
Undisputed cruiserweight winner[edit]
Usyk vs. Bellew[edit]
Immediately after contacting out Tony Bellew (30-2-1, 20 KOs) right after profitable the tournament, Bellew responded through Social networking that he would acknowledge the battle, nonetheless said the combat would need to occur in 2018 and for your undisputed cruiserweight championship. Bellew believed a battle at heavyweight wouldn't be as desirable as he wouldn't achieve A lot using a win. Bellew also said It might be his final battle as a professional.[70][seventy one] By the end of July, it was explained the struggle would likely happen in November 2018 in London.[seventy two] After favourable conferences amongst Bellew's promoter Eddie Hearn and K2's Alexander Krassyuk, on 20 August, Boxing Scene reported the fight was more likely to happen on ten November 2018.[73][74] Per week later on, K2 Promotions confirmed the date from the struggle.[75] On five September, the WBA ordered Usyk to begin negotiating with Denis Lebedev (thirty-2, 22 KO), who was their 'champion in recess' and gave them until finally the primary week of October 2018 to complete negotiations.[76] There was claimed to generally be a stumbling block for your possible Usyk vs. Bellew combat. As outlined by Hearn, the battle was prone to be pushed back to 2019. Before negotiations, Bellew said the struggle have to happen in 2018.[77][seventy eight]
On seven September, Usyk signed a multi-struggle contend with Matchroom Boxing, which meant he would fight completely on Sky Athletics in the united kingdom and DAZN in United states of america. The agreement intended Matchroom would co-encourage Usyk together with K2 Promotions. Usyk's up coming combat could be verified 'while in the quite close to future', according to Hearn.[79][eighty] Each week soon after signing with Matchroom, the Usyk vs. Belle