What nationality is Oleksandr Usyk?

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk, the Ukrainian boxing sensation born on January 17, 1987, has etched his name as one of the sport's true legends in the annals of boxing history. With a remarkable career that spans multiple weight classes, Usyk has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. Holding the unified heavyweight title since 2021 and the prestigious Ring magazine title since 2022, he is celebrated for his unrivaled accomplishments.

Usyk's journey to greatness began in the cruiserweight division, where he became the first boxer to hold all four major world titles simultaneously, earning him the status of an undisputed champion in 2018. Notably, his impressive victory over Anthony Joshua in 2021 secured his place among the elite few who have unified the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, a distinction shared with Evander Holyfield and David Haye. Moreover, Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion by defeating Tyson Fury in May 2024.

What nationality is Oleksandr Usyk?

Oleksandr Usyk is of Ukranian nationality.

Usyk was born on January 17, 1987, in Simferopol, in the Crimean Oblast of the Ukrainian SSR within the Soviet Union. His mother and father hail from northern Ukraine; she hails from Rybotyn village in the Chernihiv region, while he hails from Sumy. At first, his mother came to Simferopol for studies while working in construction, his father then served in Afghanistan before working security guard duty in Crimea, where their paths crossed.

Usyk, being the eldest child in the family, has two siblings. Interestingly, during his formative years up until the age of 15, he was a football enthusiast and received training at the SC Tavriya Simferopol's specialized sports school of the Olympic Reserve, which was the football academy affiliated with the club. However, in 2002, Usyk made a significant transition to the world of boxing. He is also a graduate of Lviv State University of Physical Culture.

Oleksandr Usyk made an urgent plea to Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 26, urging him to stop Russia's invasion of Ukraine that had begun on February 24. Subsequently, Usyk joined fellow boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko and Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov in traveling to Ukraine and providing support to its territorial defense forces, In late March, Usyk temporarily left Ukraine so he could focus on training for his anticipated rematch against Anthony Joshua.

Did Usyk fight in the Ukraine War?

Yes, Usyk did fight in the Ukraine war for a month. The undefeated boxer has been vocal about his stance regarding the war, stating often that Crimea was and will be an integral part of Ukraine. Via his official Instagram handle, Usyk posted that Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Crimea belong to Ukraine.

Discussing his horrors related to the Ukraine war, Usyk told the media during the Joshua fight promotions that his time on the battlefield was really hard. He was quite outspoken about how he prayed to god for his safety, stating that he asked god not to let anyone shoot him. He also mentioned that his wounded comrades insisted on him doing the Joshua fight for Ukraine. They explicitly told him that he would help his country more by going for the fight, rather than staying in the war.

Last Updated on December 10, 2024.