Like the great Evander Holyfield before him, Oleksandr Usyk has run through cruiserweight to make heavyweight his ultimate stomping ground.
An Olympic gold medalist at heavyweight during his amateur career, Usyk would first test cruiserweight waters to great success upon his 2013 debut in the ring.
But years later, after undisputed cruiserweight success, Usyk has repeated that feat at heavyweight. And is on the brink of doing it yet again later this month.
Let’s delve into the career and life of Ukrainian megastar Oleksandr Usyk.
Who is Oleksandr Usyk?
Born in Crimean Oblast in 1987, Usyk has set himself apart from a generation of stunning heavyweight boxing talents — running through them on his travels.
An Olympic gold medalist, too, Usyk first enjoyed a staggering run at cruiserweight before his 2019 leap to heavyweight. And since then, he’s been untouched against some of the sport’s greatest of all time.
Why is Oleksandr Usyk nicknamed ‘The Cat’?
Like his countryman, Vasiliy Lomachenko, heavyweight star, Usyk is known for his impeccable footwork, balance and agility in the ring — all characteristics comparable to our feline friends.
Labelled ‘The Cat’ early in his career, Usyk has sprung into combinations, and in and out of range with ease during his time in the squared circle, bamboozling even the most grizzled of veterans and champions.
How old is Oleksandr Usyk?
Born on January 17. 1987 — Usyk is 38 years of age. He was born in Simferopol, which is the second largest city in the Crimea Peninsula.
Is Oleksandr Usyk married?
Usyk married his long-time partner Yekaterina more than 15 years ago before his cruiserweight and heavyweight title successes in the ring. The pair have four children together; two daughters, Yelizaveta and Maria, and two sons, Mykhalio and Kyrylo.
How much money has Oleksandr Usyk made?
In the latest edition of Forbes’ list of the richest athletes, Usyk placed at a high number 11. As estimated by the outlet, given his recent success at heavyweight paired with his high-profile fights in Saudi Arabia, Usyk is said to have a staggering $101 million in purses.
Oleksandr Usyk’s boxing record
Boasting a stunning amateur record, Usyk currently holds an impeccable 23-0 professional boxing record. Forced to decisions on just nine occasions, Usyk has landed an impressive 14 career knockout wins at cruiserweight and heavyweight combined.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tony Bellew
In his final cruiserweight fight to date, Usyk took on veteran Liverpool native, Tony Bellew in a massive title affair in Manchester at the end of 2018.
And despite struggling early, Usyk would record an emphatic eighth round knockout win over Bellew to retain his WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring cruiserweight championships.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua
In his first blockbuster heavyweight clash, Usyk drew former two-time world champion, Joshua at a packed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the capital back in 2021.
And causing a massive shift in the heavyweight landscape, Usyk recorded a stunning unanimous decision win over the Watford man, landing his first gold-proper at heavyweight, with WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight title wins.
The following summer, Usyk squared off with Joshua in an immediate rematch, this time taking home a split decision win to retain his belts in the Middle East.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury
Taking on the unbeaten, Tyson Fury in arguably the biggest heavyweight boxing match of the century, Usyk proved immovable once more — this time making history as the first since Lennox Lewis to unify the heavyweight titles all the way back in 2000.
Taking the British star’s WBC heavyweight crown via split decision in May of last year, Usyk would offer Fury an immediate rematch in the Middle East at the end of last year.
And settling their rivalry — for the time being at least, Usyk again prevailed with a straightforward unanimous decision effort.