1. Early Life and Amateur Career
Oleksandr Usyk's early life and amateur career laid the foundation for his professional boxing success, showcasing his diverse athletic talents before he fully committed to boxing.
1.1. Early Life and Education
Oleksandr Usyk was born on January 17, 1987, in Simferopol, which was then part of the Crimean Oblast in the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union. His parents originated from northern Ukraine; his mother was born in the village of Rybotyn in the Chernihiv region, while his father was from Sumy. His mother worked in construction and moved to Simferopol for her studies, where she met his father, a military man who had served in Afghanistan and worked as a security guard in Crimea. Oleksandr is the eldest of three siblings.
Before turning to boxing, Usyk was an aspiring football (soccer) player until the age of 15. He trained at the SC Tavriya Simferopol specialized sports school of Olympic reserve, which was the club's football academy. In 2002, at the age of 15, Usyk decided to switch from football to boxing. He later graduated from Lviv State University of Physical Culture.
1.2. Amateur Boxing Career
Usyk began his amateur boxing journey in 2006. He retired from amateur boxing with an impressive record of 335 wins and 15 losses. Before turning professional, he also competed in the heavyweight division (over 201 lb (91 kg)) of the 2012-13 World Series of Boxing (WSB) as part of the Ukraine Otamans team, winning all six of his bouts, with two by stoppage. His notable WSB victories included Junior Fa (unanimous decision), Eric Brechlin (third-round technical knockout), Joe Joyce (unanimous decision), Magomedrasul Majidov (unanimous decision), Matteo Modugno (second-round technical knockout), and Mihai Nistor (unanimous decision).
1.2.1. Major Tournament Achievements
Usyk quickly rose through the amateur ranks, earning multiple medals at prestigious international tournaments.
- At the 2006 European Amateur Boxing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, he competed in the middleweight division (165 lb (75 kg)). He won his first three matches, including a victory over Badou Jack, but lost in the semi-final to Matvey Korobov, securing a bronze medal. Korobov later recalled Usyk suffering two knockdowns in that bout.
- In 2008, he moved up to light-heavyweight (179 lb (81 kg)) and won a gold medal at the Strandja Cup.
- Later in February 2008, he moved up to heavyweight (201 lb (91 kg)) and participated in the European Olympic qualifier in Roseto degli Abruzzi, replacing European Champion Denys Poyatsyka. There, he defeated world-class Azeri boxer Elchin Alizade and Daniel Price, earning a silver medal.
- At the 2008 European Amateur Boxing Championships in Liverpool, he returned to light-heavyweight and won a gold medal.
- He also secured a silver medal at the 2008 Boxing World Cup in Moscow, competing as a heavyweight.
- At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Usyk outpointed Yushan Nijiati 23-4 in the heavyweight division but lost to Clemente Russo 4-7 in the quarter-final.
- In 2009, he participated in the 2009 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Milan, Italy, winning a bronze medal in the heavyweight division after losing to Egor Mekhontsev in the semi-final.
- At the 2011 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, Usyk defeated notable opponents like Artur Beterbiev and Teymur Mammadov to win the heavyweight gold medal, which also qualified him for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Usyk claimed the gold medal in the heavyweight division. His path to gold included victories over Artur Beterbiev, Tervel Pulev, and a 6-3 victory over Italy's Clemente Russo in the final. His victories were often followed by his traditional Cossack dance.
2. Professional Career
Usyk's professional career began in 2013, marked by a rapid ascent through the cruiserweight division, unifying all major titles, before making a successful transition to heavyweight, eventually becoming undisputed champion in both weight classes.
2.1. Cruiserweight
Usyk's cruiserweight journey saw him quickly establish dominance, culminating in his historic unification of all four major world titles.
2.1.1. Early Professional Debut
Oleksandr Usyk turned professional in late 2013 at the age of 26, signing a promotional deal with the Klitschko brothers' K2 Promotions, and began fighting in the cruiserweight division. His professional debut took place on November 9, 2013, in Kyiv, Ukraine, where he defeated Mexican fighter Felipe Romero via a fifth-round technical knockout. The following month, he stopped 38-year-old Epifanio Mendoza in four rounds.
On April 26, 2014, Usyk made his debut in Germany on the undercard of the Wladimir Klitschko-Alex Leapai fight at the König Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, defeating Ben Nsafoah via third-round knockout. A month later, Usyk returned home to Ukraine and secured a fourth-round knockout-victory over Argentine Cesar David Crenz in Odesa.
Usyk won his first professional title on October 4, 2014, at Arena Lviv in Lviv, after beating South African boxer Daniel Bruwer via seventh-round technical knockout for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight interim title. He subsequently became the regular champion. Usyk defended this title four times:
- Two months later, on December 13, 2014, he stopped 35-year-old South African Danie Venter in the ninth round in Kyiv, where Usyk was ahead on all three judges' scorecards at the time of stoppage.
- On April 18, 2015, he made another defense against former Russian cruiserweight champion Andrey Knyazev in Kyiv. After seven one-sided rounds, referee Mickey Vann stopped the fight in the eighth round, deeming Knyazev had taken too much punishment. This fight was particularly popular, attracting 3.6 million viewers on Ukrainian television.
- On August 29, 2015, Usyk defeated former South African light-heavyweight champion Johnny Muller via third-round technical knockout at the Sport Palace in Kyiv, controlling the fight with his jab and knocking Muller down twice in the third round.
- His fourth and final defense was against Cuban boxer Pedro Rodriguez on December 12, 2015, at the Sport Palace. Usyk scored his ninth straight knockout, dropping Rodriguez in round six with an uppercut before the fight was stopped in round seven after another knockdown. This victory positioned Usyk as the WBO's number one contender for a world title shot in 2016.
2.1.2. WBO Cruiserweight Champion
In June 2016, it was announced that Usyk would challenge undefeated Polish boxer Krzysztof Głowacki (26-0, 16 KOs) for his WBO cruiserweight title on September 17, at the Ergo Arena in Gdańsk, Poland. Usyk's trainer, James Ali Bashir, had reportedly sought former world champion Antonio Tarver as a sparring partner, but Tarver's financial demands were too high. At the weigh-in, Głowacki was 199.3 lb (199.3 lb), while Usyk was slightly lighter at 198.75 lb (198.75 lb). The fight was broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
On fight night, Usyk outpointed Głowacki after an exciting 12-round bout, with judges scoring it 119-109, 117-111, and 117-111, all in Usyk's favor. This decision win ended Usyk's knockout streak but showcased his dominance through superior footwork, hand speed, and a spearing jab. He injured Głowacki's eye early in the fight, causing a cut that continued to bleed. Usyk became the WBO cruiserweight champion in only his 10th professional fight, a record for the division.
Usyk made his American debut and first WBO title defense on December 17, 2016, on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith Jr. at The Forum in Inglewood, California. His opponent was 28-year-old South African boxer Thabiso Mchunu (17-2, 11 KOs). The fight started slowly, drawing boos from the crowd, but Usyk soon picked up the pace, breaking down Mchunu with accurate combinations. Usyk scored a knockdown in the sixth round and two more in the ninth, prompting referee Lou Moret to stop the fight at 2:53 of round 9. CompuBox statistics showed Usyk landed 163 of 517 punches (32%), compared to Mchunu's 76 of 278 (27%). Before the fight, Usyk expressed his desire to fight other cruiserweight titlists and eventually Anthony Joshua at heavyweight. The fight drew an average of 560,000 viewers on HBO, considered good numbers for his debut on the network.
On February 12, 2017, Usyk announced his split from long-time trainer James Ali Bashir, replacing him with Vasiliy Lomachenko's father and trainer, Anatoly Lomachenko. His second WBO title defense was against Michael Hunter (12-0, 8 KOs) on April 8, 2017, at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Usyk weighed 199.4 lb (199.4 lb) and Hunter 199 lb (199 lb). In front of a sold-out, predominantly Ukrainian crowd of 2,828, Usyk was taken the distance for only the second time in his career, winning a one-sided unanimous decision (117-110 on all three scorecards). Hunter started strong, controlling the first three rounds with his jab, but Usyk took over from the fourth round, using his left hand and connecting well to the body. In the final minute of round 12, the referee gave Hunter a standing eight count, ruling it a knockdown for Usyk, though Hunter managed to finish the round. Usyk expressed satisfaction with his performance and called out other titleholders. CompuBox stats showed Usyk landed 321 of 905 punches (36%), while Hunter landed 190 of 794 (24%). The fight averaged 679,000 viewers on HBO, peaking at 774,000 viewers.
2.1.3. World Boxing Super Series (WBSS)
On July 1, 2017, Usyk officially announced his participation in the inaugural World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) tournament, a single-elimination bracket-style competition involving eight of the top cruiserweights, including Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Yuniel Dorticos, Marco Huck, and Krzysztof Włodarczyk. Usyk stated his enthusiasm for the tournament, calling it a dream to unify all belts and determine the strongest in the division, with the winner receiving a substantial prize money and the prestigious Muhammad Ali Trophy. The draw took place on July 8 in Monte Carlo.
2.1.4. Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion
Usyk's victory over Briedis propelled him to the WBSS final, where he would secure his place in history as the undisputed cruiserweight champion.
2.2. Heavyweight
Following his undisputed reign at cruiserweight, Usyk embarked on the challenging transition to the heavyweight division, aiming to replicate his success against significantly larger opponents.
2.2.1. Transition to Heavyweight
After defeating Bellew, Usyk publicly declared his intention to move up to the heavyweight division. His first opponent in the new weight class was announced as Carlos Takam (36-5-1, 28 KOs), with the fight scheduled for May 25, 2019. However, on May 7, Usyk suffered a bicep injury during training, leading to the postponement of the bout. The fight was rescheduled for September on DAZN, but Carlos Takam later withdrew. Usyk, as a 'super champion' from the cruiserweight division, held the WBO mandatory challenger position for the winner of the rematch between Andy Ruiz Jr. and Anthony Joshua for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.
2.2.2. Unified Heavyweight Champion
Having proven himself in the heavyweight division, Usyk set his sights on unifying the titles, leading to major clashes against boxing's elite.
2.2.3. Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
Having successfully defended his unified titles, Usyk pursued the ultimate prize in boxing: the undisputed heavyweight championship.
3. Personal Life and Sociopolitical Stance
Oleksandr Usyk's personal life is rooted in his family and Orthodox Christian faith, while his sociopolitical stance has become increasingly prominent due to the ongoing conflict in his home country.
3.1. Family and Beliefs
Oleksandr Usyk is married to Kateryna and has four children. The family resides in Kyiv, Ukraine. Usyk's wife holds Russian citizenship. Beyond boxing, Usyk practices various martial arts, including Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, and Judo, noting that these disciplines have helped his boxing. He is an Orthodox Christian. After his first fight against Anthony Joshua, he expressed his intention to "give praise to my Lord Jesus Christ and to say that all comes from him."
3.2. Stance on Crimea and the War in Ukraine
Usyk's political position and activities regarding the annexation of Crimea and the Russo-Ukrainian War have evolved and deepened, reflecting his unwavering commitment to his country's sovereignty.
In April 2014, following the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Usyk firmly declared that he would never exchange his Ukrainian citizenship for Russian citizenship. However, in 2016, he adopted a more neutral public stance, stating that he frequently visits family in Crimea and dislikes discussing politics because his words are often taken out of context. At the time, he also noted that he had many fans in Russia and did not wish to divide people, emphasizing, "because we are Slavs." Subsequently, when pressed on the issue, Usyk often responded with the phrase, "Crimea belongs to God." In May 2020, this nuanced stance led to his inclusion on the controversial Ukrainian Myrotvorets website for "repeating the Kremlin's statements [that Russia and Ukraine are] one nation, rejecting Russian aggression and denying the independence of Ukrainian Orthodoxy from Russian control... they have sided with the traitors of Ukraine."
However, with the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Usyk's position became unequivocally strong in support of Ukraine. He publicly called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion, posting a "NO WAR" message. Days later, Usyk, along with fellow boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko and MMA champion Yaroslav Amosov, traveled back to Ukraine to join the country's territorial defense forces. Usyk took part in armed patrols in Kyiv and later reported that Russian soldiers had broken into and ransacked his empty house in Vorzel.
In March 2022, Usyk was granted permission to leave Ukraine to train for his rematch with Anthony Joshua. He initially expressed reluctance to leave but stated that wounded Ukrainian soldiers he visited encouraged him to represent his country on the international stage. His decision was supported by Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv and former heavyweight champion, and his younger brother Wladimir Klitschko. In September 2022, Usyk explicitly stated that Crimea "was, is and will be" Ukrainian, asserting that it had been "taken away forcefully" from Ukraine. In November of the same year, after Ukrainian Armed Forces liberated Kherson, Usyk posted a powerful message online: "Donetsk is Ukraine. Luhansk is Ukraine. Zaporizhzhia is Ukraine. Crimea is Ukraine. Kherson is Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to ZSU".
4. Awards and Honors
Oleksandr Usyk has accumulated numerous boxing titles and individual accolades throughout his distinguished amateur and professional career.
4.1. Major Boxing Titles
- WBA (Super) cruiserweight champion (200 lb (200 lb))
- WBC cruiserweight champion (200 lb (200 lb))
- IBF cruiserweight champion (200 lb (200 lb))
- WBO cruiserweight champion (200 lb (200 lb))
- WBA (Super) heavyweight champion (200 lb (200 lb)+)
- WBC heavyweight champion (200 lb (200 lb)+)
- IBF heavyweight champion (200 lb (200 lb)+)
- WBO heavyweight champion (200 lb (200 lb)+)
4.2. Minor World Titles
- IBO heavyweight champion (200 lb (200 lb)+)
4.3. The Ring Magazine Titles
- The Ring cruiserweight champion (200 lb (200 lb))
- The Ring heavyweight champion (200 lb (200 lb)+)
4.4. Regional/International Titles
- WBO interim Inter-Continental cruiserweight champion (200 lb (200 lb))
- WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight champion (200 lb (200 lb))
- WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight champion (200 lb (200 lb)+)
4.5. Honorary Titles
- WBC Diamond cruiserweight champion
- WBO Super champion
- WBC cruiserweight champion-in-recess
- WBC Undisputed champion
- WBO Undisputed champion
- Riyadh Season Undisputed heavyweight champion
- WBC Rumble in the Jungle champion
4.6. Individual Awards
- Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Sugar Ray Robinson Award Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) John McCain-Bill Crawford Courage Award: 2022
- The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- The Ring magazine Event of the Year: 2024
- The Ring magazine Round of the Year (vs. Tyson Fury, Round 9): 2024
- Muhammad Ali Trophy (World Boxing Super Series): 2018
- ESPN Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- ESPN Fight of the Year: 2024
- WBC Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- WBC Knockout of the Year: 2018
- WBA Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- WBA Boxer of the Month: July 2018, September 2021
- WBO Fighter of the Year: 2022, 2024
- WBO Fight of the Year: 2022, 2024
- WBO Intercontinental Fighter of the Year: 2015
- Sports Illustrated's Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- Sports Illustrated's Fight of the Year: 2024
- CBS Sports Boxer of the Year: 2018
- CBS Sports Fighter of the Year: 2024
- CBS Sports Fight of the Year: 2024
- Yahoo! Sports Fighter of the Year: 2018
- Uncrowned's Male Fighter of the Year (Yahoo! Sports): 2024
- The Sporting News' Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- Los Angeles Daily News Fighter of the Year: 2018
- WBN Fighter of the Year: 2022, 2024
- WBN Fight of the Year: 2024
- WBN World Title Prospect of the Year: 2016
- RING 8 Historical Award: 2018
- FanSided Fighter of the Year: 2018
- Boxing Insider's Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- Boxing News' Fighter of the Year: 2024
- The Sweet Science (TSS) Fighter of the Year: 2024
- BoxingScene's Fighter of the Year: 2018, 2024
- The Queensberry Rules Fighter of the Year: 2018
5. Other Activities
Beyond his distinguished boxing career, Oleksandr Usyk has engaged in a variety of other activities, showcasing his diverse interests and ventures.
5.1. Football Activities
Usyk has a deep connection to football, having played the sport until the age of 15 at the SC Tavriya Simferopol sports school. In a notable return to the pitch, Usyk made a substitute appearance for the Ukrainian Premier League team FC Polissya Zhytomyr in February 2022, demonstrating his continued passion for the sport. In July 2023, he officially signed a one-year professional contract with FC Polissya Zhytomyr for the 2023-24 season, being assigned the number 17 jersey. Usyk has openly stated his intention to pursue football professionally after he retires from boxing.
5.2. Esports and Blockchain Involvement
Usyk has also ventured into the modern realms of esports and blockchain technology. In December 2020, he was announced as a partner for WePlay Esports for their upcoming WePlay Ultimate Fighting League, with esports host James Banks noting his role in "bridging that gap between esports and actual, real fighting." In 2022, Usyk co-founded and became a brand ambassador for Ready to Fight, an international blockchain platform. This platform aims to simplify and enhance boxing careers by connecting athletes with various professionals such as managers, agents, doctors, and other specialists, as well as providing access to sports services, infrastructure, and fan engagement.
6. Evaluation and Impact
Oleksandr Usyk's career has been widely evaluated for his unique style, historical achievements, and broader societal influence, though it has not been without criticism.
6.1. Positive Assessments
Oleksandr Usyk is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished boxers of his generation, celebrated for his exceptional boxing IQ, fluid movement, and relentless pace. His unique southpaw stance, coupled with his agility and strategic footwork, has allowed him to outmaneuver and outclass larger opponents, even in the heavyweight division. Usyk's disciplined approach and ability to adapt in the ring are frequently highlighted by pundits as key to his success.
His contributions to the sport are significant. He became the first boxer in history to unify all four major world titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) in the cruiserweight division, doing so in just 15 professional fights, a record for the fastest undisputed champion. His subsequent ascent to the heavyweight division and his achievement of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era further cemented his legacy as a two-weight undisputed champion, a feat achieved by only two other male boxers (Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue) in the four-belt era. This placed him in elite company alongside boxing legends.
Usyk shares several intriguing commonalities with Muhammad Ali, whom he considers the greatest boxer of all time. Both were born on January 17, share the same height (6.3 ft (1.91 m)) and reach (78 in (198 cm)), were Olympic gold medalists, and ultimately became undisputed heavyweight champions. Usyk's respectful demeanor towards his opponents and his deep connection to his Ukrainian roots have also contributed to his positive image.
His achievements have been consistently recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including multiple Fighter of the Year honors from prominent boxing organizations and media outlets like The Ring magazine, ESPN, WBC, WBA, WBO, Sports Illustrated, and CBS Sports, among others. His dramatic victories and technical mastery have profoundly influenced the boxing landscape, showcasing that skill and strategy can triumph over brute force, inspiring a new generation of fighters.
6.2. Criticism and Controversies
While widely lauded for his boxing prowess, Oleksandr Usyk's career and public life have encountered some critical perspectives and controversies.
One notable area of scrutiny has been his evolving public stance on the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In 2016, his comments about not wanting to divide people, referring to Ukrainians and Russians as "Slavs," and his assertion that "Crimea belongs to God" were perceived by some as ambiguous or even aligned with pro-Kremlin narratives. This led to him being listed on the Ukrainian Myrotvorets website in May 2020, accused of "denying Russian aggression and denying the independence of Ukrainian Orthodoxy from Russian control." However, his subsequent, more forceful declarations of Crimea being Ukrainian, and his direct involvement in Ukraine's territorial defense forces after the 2022 Russian invasion, have largely reshaped public perception of his patriotism.
Another significant controversy arose during his second heavyweight title defense against Daniel Dubois. In the fifth round, a punch from Dubois caused Usyk to drop to the canvas. While referee Luis Pabon ruled it a low blow and allowed Usyk recovery time, many observers, including Dubois and his promoter Frank Warren, vehemently argued that it was a legal body shot that should have resulted in a knockout victory for Dubois. Warren formally appealed to the WBA to overturn the loss and order an immediate rematch, but the appeal was ultimately rejected. This incident sparked extensive debate within the boxing community about the interpretation of rules and referee's decisions in high-stakes bouts.
Following his first undisputed heavyweight title fight victory over Tyson Fury in May 2024, Fury's post-fight comments generated further discussion. Fury suggested that the judges' decision might have been influenced by the sympathy for Ukraine due to the war, implying a biased outcome. While Usyk maintained respect for Fury and expressed readiness for a rematch, such statements contribute to the narratives of controversy around boxing decisions, even when the majority of pundits score the fight for Usyk.
Additionally, Usyk's temporary detention by authorities at Kraków Airport in Poland on September 17, 2024, for undisclosed reasons, briefly became a subject of media attention before his swift release.
7. Professional Boxing Record
| Number | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Win | 23-0 | Tyson Fury | UD | 12 | 21 Dec 2024 | Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Retained WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles |
| 22 | Win | 22-0 | Tyson Fury | SD | 12 | 18 May 2024 | Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Retained WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles; Won WBC heavyweight title |
| 21 | Win | 21-0 | Daniel Dubois | KO | 9 (12), 1:48 | 26 Aug 2023 | Stadion Wrocław, Wrocław, Poland | Retained WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles |
| 20 | Win | 20-0 | Anthony Joshua | SD | 12 | 20 Aug 2022 | King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Retained WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles; Won vacant The Ring heavyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 19-0 | Anthony Joshua | UD | 12 | 25 Sep 2021 | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England | Won WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles |
| 18 | Win | 18-0 | Derek Chisora | UD | 12 | 31 Oct 2020 | The SSE Arena, London, England | Won WBO Inter-Continental heavyweight title |
| 17 | Win | 17-0 | Chazz Witherspoon | Corner retirement | 7 (12), 3:00 | 12 Oct 2019 | Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois, US | |
| 16 | Win | 16-0 | Tony Bellew | KO | 8 (12), 2:00 | 10 Nov 2018 | Manchester Arena, Manchester, England | Retained WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring cruiserweight titles |
| 15 | Win | 15-0 | Murat Gassiev | UD | 12 | 21 Jul 2018 | Olympic Stadium, Moscow, Russia | Retained WBC and WBO cruiserweight titles; Won WBA (Super), IBF and vacant The Ring cruiserweight titles; World Boxing Super Series: cruiserweight final |
| 14 | Win | 14-0 | Mairis Briedis | Majority decision | 12 | 27 Jan 2018 | Arēna Rīga, Riga, Latvia | Retained WBO cruiserweight title; Won WBC cruiserweight title; World Boxing Super Series: cruiserweight semi-final |
| 13 | Win | 13-0 | Marco Huck | TKO | 10 (12), 2:12 | 9 Sep 2017 | Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin, Germany | Retained WBO cruiserweight title; World Boxing Super Series: cruiserweight quarter-final |
| 12 | Win | 12-0 | Michael Hunter | UD | 12 | 8 Apr 2017 | MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, US | Retained WBO cruiserweight title |
| 11 | Win | 11-0 | Thabiso Mchunu | TKO | 9 (12), 1:53 | 17 Dec 2016 | The Forum, Inglewood, California, US | Retained WBO cruiserweight title |
| 10 | Win | 10-0 | Krzysztof Głowacki | UD | 12 | 17 Sep 2016 | Ergo Arena, Gdańsk, Poland | Won WBO cruiserweight title |
| 9 | Win | 9-0 | Pedro Rodriguez | TKO | 7 (12), 1:57 | 12 Dec 2015 | Palace of Sports, Kyiv, Ukraine | Retained WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title |
| 8 | Win | 8-0 | Johnny Muller | TKO | 3 (12), 2:59 | 29 Aug 2015 | Palace of Sports, Kyiv, Ukraine | Retained WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title |
| 7 | Win | 7-0 | Andrey Knyazev | TKO | 8 (10), 2:24 | 18 Apr 2015 | Palace of Sports, Kyiv, Ukraine | Retained WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title |
| 6 | Win | 6-0 | Danie Venter | TKO | 9 (10), 2:29 | 13 Dec 2014 | Palace of Sports, Kyiv, Ukraine | Retained WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title |
| 5 | Win | 5-0 | Daniel Bruwer | TKO | 7 (10), 2:55 | 4 Oct 2014 | Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine | Won vacant WBO interim Inter-Continental cruiserweight title |
| 4 | Win | 4-0 | Cesar David Crenz | KO | 4 (8), 2:19 | 31 May 2014 | Sports Palace, Odesa, Ukraine | |
| 3 | Win | 3-0 | Ben Nsafoah | KO | 3 (8), 1:43 | 26 Apr 2014 | König Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany | |
| 2 | Win | 2-0 | Epifanio Mendoza | TKO | 4 (6), 2:10 | 7 Dec 2013 | Ice Arena TEC Terminal, Brovary, Ukraine | |
| 1 | Win | 1-0 | Felipe Romero | TKO | 5 (6), 1:36 | 9 Nov 2013 | Palace of Sports, Kyiv, Ukraine |
8. World Series of Boxing Record
| Number | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Win | 6-0 | Mihai Nistor | UD | 5 | 10 May 2013 | Saryarka Velodrome, Astana, Kazakhstan | |
| 5 | Win | 5-0 | Matteo Modugno | TKO | 2 (5), 1:57 | 13 Apr 2013 | Casinò di Campione, Campione d'Italia, Italy | |
| 4 | Win | 4-0 | Magomedrasul Majidov | UD | 5 | 22 Mar 2013 | Palace of Sports, Kyiv, Ukraine | |
| 3 | Win | 3-0 | Joe Joyce | UD | 5 | 1 Mar 2013 | York Hall, London, England | |
| 2 | Win | 2-0 | Eric Brechlin | TKO | 3 (5), 1:30 | 1 Feb 2013 | ACCO International Exhibition Center, Kyiv, Ukraine | |
| 1 | Win | 1-0 | Junior Fa | UD | 5 | 11 Jan 2013 | ACCO International Exhibition Center, Kyiv, Ukraine |
9. Media Appearances
Oleksandr Usyk has made various appearances in different media formats, showcasing his personality and expanding his reach beyond boxing.
9.1. Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | The Fight Rules | Professional Boxer | |
| 2018 | The Stolen Princess | "Sholom" (Troyeschyna gangster) | |
| 2024 | A Tale As Old As Time: Ring of Fire | Himself | Promotional short film |
| 2024 | Reignited - Can't Get You Out of My Head | Himself | Promotional short film |
| 2025 | The Smashing Machine | Igor Vovchanchyn |
9.2. Podcasts
| Air Date | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 20, 2025 | The Ring Podcast | Exclusive guest, discussing retirement plans and growing up in Ukraine |
9.3. Video Games
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Undisputed | Himself |
10. Viewership
Oleksandr Usyk's fights have garnered significant viewership, particularly his major pay-per-view bouts, indicating his growing popularity and commercial impact in the boxing world.
10.1. Pay-per-view bouts
| No. | Date | Fight | Country | Network | Buys | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 November 2018 | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tony Bellew | United Kingdom | Sky Box Office | 819,000 buys | |
| 2 | 31 October 2020 | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Derek Chisora | United Kingdom | Sky Box Office | 1,059,000 buys | |
| 3 | 25 September 2021 | Anthony Joshua vs. Oleksandr Usyk | United Kingdom | Sky Box Office | 1,232,000 buys | |
| 4 | 22 August 2022 | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua II | United Kingdom | Sky Box Office | 1,249,000 buys | |
| 5 | 26 August 2023 | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois | United Kingdom | TNT Sports Box Office | ||
| 6 | 18 May 2024 | Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk | Worldwide | DAZN PPV, PPV.com, ESPN+ PPV, Sky Box Office, TNT Sports Box Office | 1,500,000 buys | |
| 7 | 21 December 2024 | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II | Worldwide | DAZN PPV, Sky Box Office, TNT Sports Box Office | ||
| Total sales | 5,959,000 buys | |||||
10.2. International
| No. | Date | Fight | Country | Network | Viewers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 August 2022 | Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua II | Ukraine | MEGOGO | 1,500,000 viewers |