Oleksandr Usyk: Fight record, career, boxing legacy
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Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) remains at the top table of boxing, where he has been for some time. Many people have Usyk at the top of their pound-for-pound list, but that debate is more relevant than ever following Usyk’s win over Rico Verhoeven.
Oleksandr Usyk: Amateur career
The mercurial Ukrainian enjoyed a decorated amateur career, which saw him win the heavyweight gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. He won a plethora of medals during his amateur career, scoring impressive wins against Artur Beterbiev, Tervel Pulev, and Clemente Russo.
Oleksandr Usyk left the amateur code with an exceptional record of 335-15.
Cruiserweight
Usyk turned pro in 2013, committing to fighting in the cruiserweight division, where he compiled an impressive array of performances. The Ukrainian took the distance for the first time in his tenth fight, a wide unanimous decision (117-111, 119-109, and 117-111) success over Krzysztof Glowacki, to win the WBO cruiserweight title.
Impressive wins over Michael Hunter and Marco Huck followed. His 2018 was an historic one, defeating Mairis Briedis before winning against Murat Gassiev to become the undisputed cruiserweight champion. His last fight at cruiserweight saw Usyk wear out Tony Bellew before stopping the Scouse fighter in the eighth round.
Heavyweight
When it was announced that Usyk was moving to heavyweight, many in boxing scoffed that the Ukrainian was too small to mix with the big boys. He proved everyone wrong, beating Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Tyson Fury all twice. He proved his ring IQ, and his skills were enough to outsmart the big boys. His historic first win against Tyson Fury saw him crowned undisputed heavyweight champion. He repeated that feat, knocking out Daniel Dubois in their rematch to regain the IBF title.
Usyk returned to action on May 23, facing legendary Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, winning by eleventh-round stoppage. Many felt the stoppage was premature and have doubted Usyk’s legacy following this largely lacklustre victory. Whether Usyk underestimated Verhoeven, was carrying an injury, or just struggled to deal with the Dutchman’s pressure tactics, Oleksandr Usyk’s legacy is secure and is without a doubt one of the greatest heavyweights of all-time, and why he finds himself at the top of many heavyweight rankings.