Usyk was born in Simferopol, Crimean Oblast, Ukrainian SSR. Until age fifteen, he played Affiliation soccer and was skilled for the SC Tavriya Simferopol specialized sports school of Olympic reserve (club's football academy). In 2002 Usyk switched to boxing. He's a graduate of Lviv Point out College of Bodily Society.

Newbie profession[edit]

On the 2006 European Championships he won his 1st a few matches towards minimal-acknowledged opponents, during the semi-ultimate he dropped to Russian Matvey Korobov.

He then moved up to light-heavyweight afterwards and gained the Strandja Cup in 2008.

In February 2008, he moved up A further weightclass and was despatched into the Olympic qualifier in Roseto degli Abruzzi changing European Champion Denys Poyatsyka. There he defeated environment class Azeri Elchin Alizade and Daniel Price tag.[three]

With the 2008 Olympic Game titles, Usyk outpointed Yushan Nijiati by 23–four, but dropped to Clemente Russo by four–7 inside the quaterfinal.

He dropped all the way down to mild-heavyweight and received gold within the 2008 European Championships, but afterwards moved again approximately heavyweight. In the 2011 Globe Novice Boxing Championships he conquer Artur Beterbiev and Teymur Mammadov to gain the heavyweight title and qualify with the 2012 Summer 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–3 in the final.[four]

Usyk remaining beginner boxing with a history of 335−fifteen.[five]

Professional vocation[edit]

Early job[edit]

Usyk turned pro in late 2013 for the age of 26 and signed a marketing deal with the Klitschko brothers' K2 Promotions, battling while in the Cruiserweight division.[6]

On nine November 2013 Usyk manufactured his professional debut by defeating Mexican fighter Felipe Romero by using a fifth-spherical knockout. The following month he stopped 38 calendar year previous Epifanio Mendoza in 4 rounds. In his 3rd Expert struggle on April 2014, Usyk produced his debut in Germany about the undercard of Klitschko-Leapai within the Koenig Pilsener Arena defeating Ben Nsafoah by means of third-spherical knockout.[seven] Per month later, Usyk returned home and knocked out Cesar David Crenz in round four, possessing knocked him down in spherical three also.

Rise up the ranks[edit]

Usyk received his initial title on four Oct 2014 right after beating South African boxer Daniel Bruwer through spherical seven specialized knockout for that Interim WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title.[eight] Usyk defended the title two months later stopping 35 year old Danie Venter in spherical 9.[9] Usyk was in advance on all a few judges' scorecards at some time of stoppage.

Usyk manufactured A further defence in April 2015 from previous Russian cruiserweight winner Andrey Knyazev (11-one, 6 KOs) in Kiev. After 7 one-sided rounds, referee Mickey Vann eventually stopped the fight in spherical 8 immediately after deciding Knyazev experienced taken enough beating. This gain stored Usyk heading in the right direction to some WBO title battle in opposition to then winner Marco Huck.[10]

In August 2015, Usyk defeated previous South African light-weight heavyweight champion Johnny Muller via 3rd-round specialized knockout at the Sport Palace in Kiev, which observed Usyk Manage the combat with a jab. Usyk knocked down Muller twice in round 3 and Whilst Muller protested, referee waved the battle off with a single second of the round left.[eleven]

Usyk manufactured a fourth and closing protection from unidentified Cuban boxer Pedro Rodriguez in a very scheduled 12 round struggle on 12 December within the Sport Palace. Usyk received the combat scoring his 9th straight knockout in as numerous fights, to start with dropping Rodriguez in spherical six by having an uppercut ahead of the battle was stopped in round seven, remaining knocked down again, Even though he beat the count. This earn set Usyk at WBO's Number one posture, using a Planet title battle about the playing cards for 2016.[twelve]

WBO cruiserweight winner[edit]

Usyk vs. Głowacki[edit]

In June 2016, it absolutely was announced that Usyk would problem undefeated Polish boxer Krzysztof Głowacki (26-0, sixteen KOs) for his WBO cruiserweight champion on seventeen September in the Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland.[13][14][15] It was noted that Usyk's trainer James Ali Bashir desired to recruit former globe winner Antonio Tarver as a sparring lover. It was mentioned that Tarver not only requested an excessive amount of cash, but he also wanted to seem on the card as a co-showcased key occasion.[16] Głowacki weighed 199.3 pounds, which Usyk coming in a little lighter at 198.seventy five pounds.[seventeen] The battle was revealed live to tell the tale Sky Athletics in britain.[eighteen] To the evening, Usyk outpointed Głowacki soon after an fascinating 12 spherical battle Along with the judges scoring it 119–109, 117–111, and 117–111 all in Usyk's favour. The choice get also finished Usyk's run of having gained his opening 9 fights via stoppage. Usyk dominated the struggle having a jab, sooner or later injuring Głowacki's eye early inside the struggle top it to ultimately bleed. The Reduce continued to bleed for the remainder of the contest. Usyk also employed his dominant hand pace and footwork which assisted him score the decision get.[19][twenty]

Usyk vs. Mchunu[edit]

Usyk introduced he can be making his American debut over the Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith Jr. card on seventeen December 2016. The fight would take place with the Forum in Inglewood, California.[21] On eleven November K2 Promotions introduced Usyk might be defending his WBO title in opposition to 28 12 months outdated South African boxer Thabiso Mchunu (17-two, eleven KOs). Mchunu previously misplaced to Ilunga Makabu by using 11th round stoppage, Though becoming in advance on the scorecards at the time.[22][23] Usyk broke down Mchunu at some point stopping him during the 9th spherical. Just before the stoppage, Usyk also knocked Mchunu down during the 6th round. In spherical 9, Usyk knocked Mchunu down two times in. The battle was halted by referee Lou Moret following the 2nd knockdown. Although the struggle started out very gradual, the lovers in attendance began to boo. The tempo was picked up soon after the very first handful of rounds, when Usyk begun connecting with his trademark combos.[24] CompuBox figures confirmed that Usyk landed 163 of 517 punches thrown (32%), and Mchunu landed seventy six of his 278 (27%).[25]

The official time of the stoppage was at 2:53. Prior to the fight, Usyk spoke of his want to struggle other cruiserweight titlists together with fighting Anthony Joshua at heavyweight.[26][27] The fight averaged 560,000 viewers on HBO, this was considered very good quantities considering it had been Usyk's HBO debut and about the undercard.[28]

Usyk vs. Hunter[edit]

K2 Promotions declared that Usyk can be returning on common HBO to protect his cruiserweight globe title in April 2017. He was initially planned to look around the undercard of the Golovkin-Jacobs HBO PPV in March at Madison Sq. Yard, having said that since Roman Gonzalez and Carlos Cuadras have been scheduled to appear in separate fights and never fight one another, Usyk was pulled through the card.[29]

On 12 February 2017, Usyk declared that he had parted methods with long time trainer James Ali Bashir and replaced him with Vasyl Lomachenko's father and trainer, Anatoly Lomachenko.[30][31] Bob Arum introduced that Usyk might be A part of a triple header which includes Vasyl Lomachenko on the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on eight April 2017 towards Michael Hunter (twelve-0, eight KOs).[32] Usyk weighed 199.4 while Hunter arrived in at 199 lbs ..[33] Before a sold out group of 2,828, the place there was the vast majority Ukrainian supporters in attendance, Usyk was taken the gap for the 2nd time in his job and won a somewhat just one-sided unanimous choice to keep his WBO title. Hunter unexpectedly controlled the main a few rounds driving the jab. It wasn't right up until the fourth round, when Usyk took control of the bout making use of his remaining and connecting effectively to the body to earn greater part of the remainder rounds. Pundits considered Hunter was gifted going the gap plus the battle ought to have been stopped by referee Bill Clancy inside the championship rounds. In spherical twelve, it appeared while in the last second, Hunter, when getting punches, was only standing due to the ropes the place holding him up. Referee halted the combat and gave Hunter a standing 8 rely, ruling it a knockdown for Usyk. All a few judges scored the battle unanimously 117–a hundred and ten for Usyk. Even though it took him a couple of rounds to receive into your battle, Usyk was pleased with his performance and identified as out other titleholders, "I am pretty satisfied with my general performance,. I did what I needed to do. He took lots of punches. I assumed it's possible they'd stop the combat (during the twelfth spherical). I might love to combat any of the titleholders, any time, any place."[34]

According to CompuBox punch stats, Usyk landed 321 of his 905 punches thrown, 36%. Hunter managed to land 24% of his punches, connecting one hundred ninety of 794.[35] The struggle drew an average of 679,000 viewers on HBO and peaked at 774,000 viewers.[36][37]

Planet Boxing Super Series[edit]

Most important write-up: 2017–eighteen World Boxing Tremendous Series – cruiserweight division

On one July 2015, Usyk eventually announced that he would join fellow cruiserweights Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Yunier Dorticos, Marco Huck and Krzysztof Włodarczyk in the eight-gentleman bracket design tournament, thanks to start in September 2017. He mentioned, "I truly feel content and inspired with the idea of this type of Match. I've been dreaming of putting with each other many of the champs to determine that is the strongest and will become the undisputed king from the division." The attract was to occur on July 8 in Monte Carlo. The winner in the tournament would receive a grand income prize along with the Muhammad Ali trophy.[38]

Usyk vs. Huck[edit]

On the Draft Gala, Usyk, who had 1st select, chose to struggle previous WBO winner Marco Huck (forty–four–one, 27 KOs). When questioned why he selected Huck, Usyk claimed, "Because of my admirers." Huck, who was Similarly fired up, replied that Usyk was his 'wish opponent'.[39] On 26 July it was declared the combat would take place in the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin on nine September 2017. This would mark the 2nd time Usyk would fight in Germany in his Experienced job, acquiring fought there on his 3rd Experienced bout in April 2014. It would also mark the first battle of the Event.[40][forty one][forty two]

On 6 September 2017, at the ultimate presser, Huck pushed Usyk in the face-off. In regards into the shove, Huck explained, "I wished to demonstrate Usyk that he's my hometown and that he needs to be geared up for that fight of his lifestyle on Saturday." Usyk, who remained Expert and serene, replied, "If you would like be an incredible winner, You should beat the most beneficial and Huck is probably the greatest. I chose to enter this Match because it is actually a route to attain my desire of unifying all of the belts. There’s a prestigious trophy at stake as well, the Muhammad Ali Trophy. We have been born on the same day and I admire Ali due to the fact he is the biggest position model in boxing and I'll thank God if I get a trophy together with his name on it."[43] As he was leaving the constructing, Usyk claimed he would 'bury' Huck.[44]

On struggle evening, Usyk utilized his footwork and combination punching to cruise to a TKO get. Along with his dominant performance, Usyk taunted Huck throughout the fight. In round eight, Usyk tripped on Huck's feet and Huck shed some extent within the scorecards as he threw a punch at Usyk when the latter was down. Usyk ongoing to land combinations with tiny to no reaction from Huck right until referee Robert Byrd stopped the fight while in the tenth spherical. While using the earn, Usyk progressed to the semi-ultimate stage of your Super Sequence and was to face the winner of your Mairis Briedis vs. Mike Perez, scheduled for thirty September.[forty five][46]

Usyk vs. Briedis[edit]

Usyk would next fight Mairis Briedis (23–0, eighteen KOs) following the latter's win more than Perez via unanimous determination.[forty seven][48][49] In November 2017, it absolutely was noted the combat would take place on 27 January 2018 in Riga, Latvia, a week just before Gassiev vs. Dorticos usually takes spot.[fifty] Arēna Rīga was confirmed as the location by Comosa's Chief Boxing Officer Kalle Sauerland.[51] Usyk arrived in at 199.five lbs and Briedis weighed 199.one pounds.[52] Usyk moved on to the ultimate on the Event immediately after defeating Briedis by way of majority final decision. That has a superior get the job done fee, Usyk controlled the majority of the battle along with his jab placed on pressure when required. Briedis was credited with landing the more tougher punches. The opening 4 rounds were carefully contested and Usyk was cut from the head-butt around his suitable eye in round three. From round five, Usyk became busier and took Charge of the combat, Though he was continue to hit with a few difficult shots to the head from Briedis. One particular choose scored the struggle 114–114, whilst the remaining two judges scored the fight a hundred and fifteen–113 in favour of Usyk giving him the earn. Once the combat, Usyk stated it absolutely was the toughest battle of his vocation.[53][fifty four] In keeping with CompuBox Stats, Usyk landed 212 of 848 punches thrown (25%) and Briedis was much more precise, landing 195 of his 579 thrown (33.7%). Usyk landed 40% of his electric power punches.[55] A lot of boxers and pundits praised the struggle.[56]

Usyk vs. Gassiev[edit]

Immediately after Usyk defeat Briedis, it had been announced in the post-fight press meeting that the ultimate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, would occur on 11 May well 2018.[57] On the other hand, at the time Murat Gassiev (26-0, 19 KOs) stopped Yunier Dorticos, starting the final, the secretary typical from the Russian Boxing Federation, Umar Kremlev, said that he would thrust forward so as to outbid Saudi Arabia and possess the ultimate on the Match happen in Russia on the Working day of Russian Boxing on 22 July. On oleksandr usyk sixteen April, it was reported that Usyk experienced suffered an elbow injury during teaching, pushing the ultimate to possibly June or July 2018.[fifty eight][59] On eighteen June, at a press convention, Kremlev announced the final would happen on 21 July within the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia.[60] On 29 June, the ultimate was formally verified.[61] On the release day, 7,000 tickets had been offered.[sixty two] Equally boxers arrived in at 198.45 pounds within the weigh-in.[sixty three]

Usyk speedily took control of the struggle, going speedily and making use of his "beautiful, commandeering jab". Even with dealing with a hostile hometown group, Usyk controlled the battle, not permitting Gassiev to work with his ability. Gassiev did not land a strong punch until eventually the top of spherical 2. As outlined by many reviews, Usyk outclassed, outboxed, and dominated Gassiev. The end result was never ever in question as Usyk was declared winner by unanimous choice Using the scores of a hundred and twenty–108, 119–109, and 119–109.[sixty four] Muhammad Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali presented the trophy to Usyk. Following the struggle, equally combatants were being exemplars of fine sportsmanship, embracing, with Gassiev saying "I had the most effective opponent of my Skilled career ... currently is Oleksandr's working day". Usyk humbly including "My workforce built me appear to be I appeared inside the ring. This can be our victory". The acquire made Usyk the very first ever 4-belt undisputed cruiserweight champion.[sixty five][sixty six] Usyk dominated throughout, landing 252 of 939 thrown punches (27%), in comparison to Gassiev's ninety one landed of 313 thrown (29%). Usyk utilized his outstanding conditioning to finish the battle, also expanding his output by landing 47 of 117 punches thrown in spherical twelve. Usyk managed to resist the 32 energy entire body pictures he obtained and continued to maneuver throughout the ring.[sixty seven]

When questioned who he wish to fight subsequent, Usyk reported, "At the moment I have heard that Tony Bellew wants to combat the winner with the Muhammad Ali Trophy. I hope He'll see me conversing.... 'hey Tony Bellew, are you Prepared?' If he does not need to go down, I'll go up for him. I will consume more spaghetti for my meal!" Also following the struggle Usyk said: "Olympic [stadium], thanks. Individuals, countrymen and those who supported. Moscow 2018. Bang! Daddy's while in the building!".[sixty eight][sixty nine]

Undisputed cruiserweight winner[edit]

Usyk vs. Bellew[edit]

Immediately after contacting out Tony Bellew (thirty-two-one, 20 KOs) after winning the tournament, Bellew responded by means of Social websites that he would take the battle, even so stated the fight would want to occur in 2018 and for that undisputed cruiserweight championship. Bellew thought a fight at heavyweight wouldn't be as appealing as he wouldn't acquire A lot which has a win. Bellew also stated It could be his last struggle as knowledgeable.[70][seventy one] By the end of July, it was claimed the fight would possible happen in November 2018 in London.[72] Right after favourable meetings concerning Bellew's promoter Eddie Hearn and K2's Alexander Krassyuk, on twenty August, Boxing Scene described the battle was likely to occur on 10 November 2018.[73][74] Per week afterwards, K2 Promotions confirmed the day on the combat.[75] On five September, the WBA ordered Usyk to start negotiating with Denis Lebedev (thirty-two, 22 KO), who was their 'winner in recess' and gave them until finally the 1st week of October 2018 to finish negotiations.[76] There was reported to become a stumbling block to the probable Usyk vs. Bellew struggle. In keeping with Hearn, the fight was more likely to be pushed back again to 2019. Before negotiations, Bellew mentioned the fight need to transpire in 2018.[seventy seven][seventy eight]

On seven September, Usyk signed a multi-fight deal with Matchroom Boxing, which meant he would combat solely on Sky Sporting activities in the UK and DAZN in United states. The agreement meant Matchroom would co-promote Usyk alongside K2 Promotions. Usyk's future fight would be verified 'during the really in the vicinity of long run', according to Hearn.[79][80] Every week after signing with Matchroom, the Usyk vs. Belle