Oleksandr Usyk is a Ukrainian professional boxer popularly referred to as ‘’The Cat’’. The Cat lives for the adrenaline and is simply the best at what he does. He has gained prominence for his dominance inside the boxing ring, marking him out as a world champion in two weight classes, having clinched the WBA, IBF, and WBO, IBO heavyweight titles since defeating Anthony Joshua in September 2021.
Oleksandr has won many titles as an amateur, including gold medals at the 2011 world championships and 2012 Olympics. He is also an undisputed cruiserweight champion and is the first professional cruiserweight champion in the world who managed to hold all four major world championships in boxing. With his defeat of Anthony Joshua, The Cat became one of the three boxers in history to have unified the cruiserweight world titles and become a world heavyweight champion, joining Evander Holyfield and David Haye.
Though the professional boxer has managed to protect his private life from unwanted media scrutiny, his life outside the ring eludes curiosity amongst fans and boxing enthusiasts. Oleksandr has been off the market for a long time now; he is currently in a marital relationship with his Russian beau, Yekaterina Usyk, and the pair are parents to three children; Yelizaveta Usyk, Mykhailo Usyk, and Kyrylo Usyk.
Profile summary of Oleksandr Usyk
- Full Name: Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk
- Nickname: The Cat and Olek
- Date of Birth: 17th of January 1987
- Age: 35 years old
- Place of Birth: Simferopol, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
- Ethnicity: Caucasian
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Religion: Orthodox Christianity
- Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
- Education: Lviv State University of Physical Culture
- Profession: Heavyweight Boxer
- Net Worth: $4 Million
- Height: 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm)
- Weight: 100 kg (221 lbs)
- Marital Status: Married
- Oleksandr Usyk’s wife: Yekaterina Usyk
- Oleksandr Usyk’s Siblings: Anastasiya Usyk, Mykola Usyk
- Oleksandr Usyk ‘s Children: Yelizaveta Usyk, Mykhailo Usyk, and Kyrylo Usyk
- Instagram: @usykaa
Oleksandr Usyk Has Three Kids with His Wife Yekaterina
Oleksandr remains undefeated outside the ring. The professional boxer has maintained a stable and happy family life. He got hitched to his girlfriend, Yekaterina Usyk, in 2009 after several years of dating. Not much is known about Yekaterina Usyk, but it is reported that she holds Russian nationality.
The union of Oleksandr and Yekaterina has since welcomed three children; Yelizaveta Usyk, Mykhailo Usyk, and Kyrylo Usyk. The couple lives with their children in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Although Oleksandr’s wife prefers to keep her personal life private and out of the media’s eye, it is known that she has been a huge source of encouragement and support to her husband. She is often sighted cheering on her husband at the top of her lungs during his games.
She currently runs a foundation owned by her husband called Oleksandr Usyk foundation. The foundation’s mission is to take care of the needy and help the less privileged, especially now as Ukrainians fight off Russian aggression. The foundation covers the basic needs of Ukrainians affected by the current situation in the country, whether it is medical supplies, food, or hygiene items.
Oleksandr Usyk Has Been an Athlete Since He was a Kid
Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk was born on 17 January 1987 in Simferopol, the second-largest city in the Crimean Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Ukraine). He is the first child of three children born to his parents as he was raised alongside his siblings, Anastasiya Usyk and Mykola Usyk. His parents originated from Northern Ukraine.
Oleksandr’s father was a native of Sumy, while his mother was birthed in the Chernihiv region in a village in Rybotyn, Korop Raion. His mother worked in construction but decided to pursue her education in Simferopol, where she met her husband, Oleksandr’s father. At the time, Oleksandr’s father was a military man, and he worked as a security guard in Crimea.
While growing up alongside his siblings in Simferopol, Oleksandr got engaged in different kinds of sports activities with the approval of his parents. Hailing from a poor background and as the eldest son of the family, he took on jobs to support his family. He worked on farms, grazed cattle as well as collected and sold fruit and ice cream on the streets to support his family. As a child, he participated in sports activities like wrestling, Karate, and hand-to-hand combat. Besides these sports, Oleksandr also enjoyed playing football.
He is an Alumnus of Lviv State University of Physical Culture
Before Oleksandr clocked 15 years of age, he played association football and went on to receive training at SC Tavriya Simferopol academy, a specialized sports school of the Olympic reserve. Unfortunately, his stint as a football player was only for a short period as his parents could not afford to pay for his football training.
Oleksandr Usyk decided to switch to a more straightforward and friendly sport which is boxing. He picked his first pair of boxing gloves in 2002, which his coach’s wife sewed for him, and began his amateur career four years later.
Though not much is known about his high school education, it is assumed that he completed his high school education in his hometown. Upon completing his high school education, he attended Lviv State University of Physical Culture and majored in sports education.
Oleksandr Usyk Recorded 335 wins and 15 losses in His Amateur Career
Oleksandr Usyk picked up boxing gloves for the first time at the age of 15, and he boxed his way through vigorous training to having an incredible and illustrious amateur career. At the age of 19, he participated in the European championships in 2006, where he won a few games before he was defeated by Russian star Matvey Korobov in the semi-final. Slowly yet steadily, he moved up to lightweight and won the Strandja Cup in 2008. In the same year, he moved up to another weight class and went on to fight in the Olympic qualifiers, where he won two bouts.
At the 2008 European Championships, Oleksandr won the gold medal and moved back up to heavyweight after dropping to light-heavyweight. He participated in the 2011 World Amateur Boxing Championships, where he won the heavyweight title, qualifying him for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Oleksandr continued to impress as he outscored his opponents to clinch the gold medal at the Summer Olympics games held in London. After his performance at the Summer Olympics, he retired from amateur boxing after participating in 350 matches and recording 335 wins and only 15 losses
His amateur career achievements Include;
- 2012 Olympic gold medal
- 2011 World Championships gold medal
- 2009 World Championships bronze medal
- 2009 Ukrainian National Championships gold medal
- 2008 European Championships gold medal
- 2008 World Cup silver medal
- 2008 Strandzha Cup gold medal
- 2006 European Championships bronze medal
Oleksandr Usyk Has an Undefeated Professional Record
Oleksandr Usyk turned pro at the age of 26 in 2013, and he went on to sign a promotional deal with the Klitschko brothers’ K2 Promotions, fighting in the cruiserweight division. The Ukrainian boxer made his professional debut on November 9, 2013, defeating Mexican Felipe Romero via fifth-round knockout. A month later, he fought Epifanio Mendoza and defeated him after four rounds.
His third professional bout was on 26 April 2014, when he went up against Ben Nsafoah and defeated him in the third round via knockout. A month later, he knocked out Argentine Cesar David Crenz in the fourth round.
The Ukrainian professional boxer worked his way to winning his first major title on 4th October 2014. He fought South African boxer Daniel Bruwer for the interim WWBO intercontinental cruiserweight title and won the match via a technical knockout. He continued impressing as he defended his title twice in his bout against Danie Venter and Russian cruiserweight champion Andrey Knyazev.
Winning the hearts of his fans, Oleksandr Usyk continued his meteoric rise as he triumphed in most of his matches. In 2016, he defeated Krzysztof Glowacki in a breathtaking fight to bag the WBO title. He then landed the WBC title against Mairis Briedis before he clinched the WBA and IBF titles, defeating Murat Gassiev by unanimous decision after 12-rounds.
In 2018, he won his undisputed cruiserweight championship in his 15th professional fight. Three of the titles he won were during the inaugural world boxing super series, in which he won the Muhammad Ali Trophy as well as the ring magazine and lineal cruiserweight titles. For the incredible feat he achieved, Oleksandr was named the 2018 Fighter of the Year by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The ring, and Boxing Writers Association of America.
In 2019, Oleksandr moved up to heavyweight, and on 25 September 2021, he fought and defeated Anthony Joshua after 12 rounds of fighting to become the unified WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight champion. His victory against Anthony Joshua earned him a place in the history of the sport as he became the first boxer to hold these titles in the cruiserweight division.
His victory against Anthony Joshua saw him retain his undefeated record.
Oleksandr Usyk Took up Arms to Defend his Country against the Aggression of Russia
Oleksandr’s wife, Yekaterina, recently revealed that the professional boxer had lost 10 kilograms due to the ongoing war in his country. On 26 February 2022, the Ukrainian Professional boxer urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to call off Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began on 24 February. A few days later, he enlisted in the military alongside his friend and fellow boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko.
The pair traveled back to their country and joined the country’s territorial defense forces. However, in late March, Oleksandr left Ukraine to prepare for his rematch with Anthony Joshua, stating that he believes he can do better outside of Ukraine than in it.
How Much is Oleksandr Usyk Worth?
The Ukrainian boxer has had an incredibly successful boxing career that has allowed him to amass a net worth of around $4 million. In addition to his boxing career, he has made money from endorsing several brands like BoxRaw, a boxing and equipment company.
Usyk reportedly earned a hefty sum of about $4.1 million in his last fight against Anthony Joshua, including an extra 40 percent of the pay-per-view share. Additionally, he owns an online shop that sells his merchandise, including t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, and more.
Random Facts about Oleksandr Usyk
- In 2018, Oleksandr Usyk was named Sports Illustrated ‘Fighter of the Year by Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Ring, and the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).
- Oleksandr starred as Troyeschyna gangster #2 in the fantasy animated movie The Stolen Princess in 2018.
- His boxing idol is Muhammad Ali, and he was born on the same day as his hero, on January 17, 1987.
- Oleksandr Usyk looked after cattle on a farm and sold apricots and ice cream before taking on Anthony Joshua
- He loves to dance, and he performs the ‘Hopak,’ which is a traditional Ukrainian dance.
1 Comment
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