Oleksandr Usyk has built one of boxing’s outstanding careers by beating champions on their own ground. The Ukrainian southpaw won world amateur gold in 2011 and Olympic gold at London 2012 before turning professional the following year.
His footwork, combinations and ability to change angles carried him through the cruiserweight division. He beat Krzysztof Głowacki for the WBO title in Poland, then defeated Mairis Briedis in Riga and Murat Gassiev in Moscow to unite all four major belts in 2018. An eighth-round knockout of Tony Bellew in Manchester completed his cruiserweight campaign.
After wins over Chazz Witherspoon and Derek Chisora, Usyk took the WBA, IBF and WBO titles from Anthony Joshua in London in September 2021. He beat Joshua again in their 2022 rematch and stopped Daniel Dubois in the ninth round in 2023.
Two victories over Tyson Fury in 2024 established his supremacy at heavyweight. The first, a split decision, made him undisputed champion and the lineal titleholder; the rematch ended in a unanimous decision. He knocked out Dubois in round five at Wembley in July 2025.
Usyk remains the lineal heavyweight champion after relinquishing the sanctioning-body belts. His movement is only part of the story: he maintains an exacting pace and finds ways to land against opponents who are taller and heavier. No next fight has been confirmed.
Archived championship commentary. The video’s original title describes a past title unification, not his current belt holdings.
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