Do you know that a current Ukrainian boxing star, Oleksandr Usyk, holds titles in two weight categories? He began his career as a cruiserweight, but by 2018, he was the unified champion, which means he had captured all four belts. Switching from cruiserweight, Usyk shocked the world when he defeated Anthony Joshua in 2021 to be crowned WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight champion. This great achievement positioned Usyk among the most talented fighters who managed to clinch titles in different weight categories. The disciplined training and the strategic means of fighting are the reasons why he is considered to be one of the significant boxers.
By the way, did you know that in his youth Usyk dreamed of a career as a professional football player? So, if you, like him, have a love not only for boxing, but also for football, then we can recommend you MelBet - a great place for football live betting.
Oleksandr Usyk was born in the Crimean city of Simferopol, and his entry into boxing was not conventional, to say the least. First, he was involved in football up to the age of 15, then moved to boxing. This hard work was rewarded with a gold medal at the Olympics held in London in the year 2012. Usyk's amateur record was quite impressive, as he claimed victory in 335 fights and 15 defeats. His early achievements include several national championships and international honours, which prove his aptitude. The rigorous training, as well as the dedication towards the sport, provided him with a good platform for his professional career.
Usyk's transition to professional boxing was a smooth one and was received well. Among his achievements was winning the WBO cruiserweight belt within his first ten professional fights. In 2018-2019, Usyk was the undisputed world champion in the cruiserweight division, and in 2024 - in the heavyweight division. Here is a timeline of his rise to the top:
His transition to the heavyweight division was marked by a debut win against Chazz Witherspoon. However, his victory over Anthony Joshua in 2021 was a career-defining moment, showcasing his versatility and skill across weight classes.
Bookmakers, by the way, did not believe in most of these victories of the Ukrainian boxer, which became a great way for all Usyk fans to earn money. If you also want to try your hand at betting, register at Melbet - the best place for your boxing, hockey or football bets.
Usyk is also an undefeated professional boxer with twenty-one fights and zero losses, thirteen of them knockouts. Some of his popular fights included the one he had with Murat Gassiev in 2018, where Usyk consolidated the cruiserweight champions. Another important event was the fight in October 2021 for the heavyweight championship against Anthony Joshua for the WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO belts. And his latest victory over Tyson Fury has once again proven that Usyk is a tough nut to crack, and he will definitely remain in boxing history forever.
