Biography
Oleksandr Usyk was born on January 17, 1987 in Symferopol (USSR). Until 1999, he lived in his mother’s homeland in the village of Rybotyn, Chernihiv oblast. Oleksandr finished Symferopol school No. 34. As a child, he practiced folk dances, judo and football. He played for the youth team of Simferopol Tavria as left midfielder. He joined the boxing section when he was 15. He trained under the direction of coach Serhii Lapin. Usyk received his higher education at Lviv State University of Physical Culture.
Sports career
Since 2013, when Oleksandr Usyk decided to move from amateur to professional boxing, he has won dozens of major and significant victories and won prestigious titles.
Victory over Murat Gassiev (2018)
Usyk defeated Gassiev by unanimous decision in the final of the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS), winning the WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA cruiserweight titles. This victory made him the undisputed champion in this weight.
Victory over Tony Bellew (2018)
Usyk defended his titles against Britain’s Tony Bellew, winning by knockout in the eighth round. This was his last fight in the first heavyweight, after which he moved to Super Heavyweight.
Victory over Dereck Chisora (2020)
In his third super heavyweight match, Usyk defeated British fighter Derek Chisora by a unanimous decision of the judges. This victory cemented his position in the super heavyweight.
Victory over Anthony Joshua (2021)
In one of the most anticipated fights of the year, Usyk defeated the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO super heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua by a unanimous decision of the judges. This triumph made Usyk the world champion in two weight categories and greatly enhanced his status in global boxing.
Victory over Tyson Fury (2024)
On 19 May 2024, Oleksandr Usyk defeated the British Tyson Fury in a fight for the title of absolute world super heavyweight boxing champion. The fight lasted 12 rounds, the victory was won by a separate decision of judges: 115:112, 113:114, and 114:113. In the ninth round, the Ukrainian sent the opponent to a knockdown, but he was able to continue the fight.
Usyk now holds titles in all four of the most prestigious versions – WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF. The 37-year-old Usyk has won all his fights in the professional ring, and for the 35-year-old Fury it’s his first career defeat.
Business and advertising
In 2017, he participated in several advertising companies for mobile operator MTS Ukraine.
In the autumn of 2018, he became the advertising face of the Ukrainian bookmaker FavBet in the company “Winners with us”.
In 2019–2020, he starred in promotional videos for the Ukrainian manufacturer of protection technologies Ajax Systems.
In the summer of 2020, he founded the promotional company Usyk17Promotion.
In September 2021, the brand became an ambassador of the Responsible Gambling project initiated by the Parimatch bookmaker. The platform was aimed at reducing risks for players, in particular preventing the development of gambling addiction. In addition, Oleksandr Usyk took part in the actions of the Parimatch Foundation, established in 2019. Its aim is to provide children with equal opportunities and access to education and sports. In particular, the BF introduced programs “Yes, I Can”, “Sports Mentor”, “New Physical Culture” and “Boost4Best”.
Among other ambassadors of the Parimatch brand are UFC champion Conor McGregor, former boxer Mike Tyson, e-sportsman Daniel ‘Zeus’, head coach of Kiev “Dynamo” Oleksandr Shovkovskyi and others. Parimatch is also a sponsor and partner of the Premier League, the Ukrainian Championship and the Ukrainian Basketball Team, as well as the title sponsor of FC Shakhtar.
In 2022, he became a co-founder and brand ambassador of the international blockchain platform Ready to Fight.
Family
His mother Nadezhda comes from Chernihiv oblast, and his father Oleksandr from Sumy region.
His wife is Kateryna. The Usyk family has four children: daughter Yelyzaveta (2010), son Kyrylo (2013), son Mykhailo (2015) and daughter Maria (2024).