Oleksandr Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk, born on January 17, 1987, is a distinguished Ukrainian professional boxer who has made history in the sport. He has held the unified heavyweight championship since 2025 and the Ring magazine title since 2022. Usyk is celebrated for being the first male boxer to achieve the remarkable feat of becoming a three-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era, having claimed titles in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.

Usyk's journey began in the amateur ranks, where he showcased his talent by winning heavyweight gold medals at the 2011 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics, finishing with an impressive record of 335 wins and 15 losses. He turned professional in 2013 and quickly made his mark, winning his first world title in 2016. His crowning achievement came in 2018 when he became the first Ukrainian to hold the undisputed cruiserweight championship, a title he maintained until 2019.

In 2021, Usyk faced unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, defeating him to secure the WBA, IBF, and WBO titles. His victory over Tyson Fury in May 2024 not only earned him the WBC title but also solidified his status as the undisputed champion in his second weight class, a feat accomplished by only three boxers in the four-belt era. By July 2025, he knocked out Daniel Dubois, becoming a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion, a distinction last held by Muhammad Ali.

Usyk's accolades extend beyond the ring; he was named Fighter of the Year by The Ring and the Boxing Writers Association of America in both 2018 and 2024. In February 2025, Sportico recognized him as the seventh highest-paid athlete of the year, with an estimated income of one hundred twenty-two million dollars. Forbes later ranked him eleventh among the highest-paid athletes globally, estimating his earnings at one hundred one million dollars.