History of Oleksandr Usyk in Timeline

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk is a Ukrainian professional boxer and the undisputed heavyweight champion since 2025. He also holds the Ring magazine title since 2022. Notably, Usyk is the first male boxer to become a three-time undisputed champion in the "four-belt era," having achieved this feat in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

April 2014: Usyk fights in Germany

In April 2014, Oleksandr Usyk fought in Germany for his third professional bout.

September 2017: Usyk chooses to fight Marco Huck

In September 2017, at the Draft Gala, Oleksandr Usyk chose to fight former WBO champion Marco Huck. The fight was announced to take place at the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin on September 9, 2017, marking Usyk's second professional fight in Germany and the first fight of the tournament.

September 2017: Huck shoves Usyk at press-conference

On September 6, 2017, at the final press-conference, Marco Huck pushed Oleksandr Usyk. Huck stated that he wanted to show Usyk that he was in his hometown. Usyk replied that he wanted to beat the best to unify all the belts and win the Muhammad Ali Trophy.

November 2017: Usyk vs. Briedis fight announced

In November 2017, it was reported that Oleksandr Usyk would fight Mairis Briedis on January 27, 2018, in Riga, Latvia.

2017: Anthony Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko

In 2017, Anthony Joshua defeated Wladimir Klitschko, who is the brother of Vitali Klitschko.

January 2018: Usyk defeats Briedis via majority decision

On January 27, 2018, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Mairis Briedis via majority decision in Riga, Latvia. Usyk moved on to the final of the tournament. Usyk stated it was the hardest fight of his career.

May 2018: Usyk final announced for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

After Usyk defeated Briedis, it was announced that the final would take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 11, 2018. The final was later moved to Russia on July 22.

July 2018: Usyk vs. Gassiev final confirmed for Moscow

On July 21, 2018, it was confirmed that the final between Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev would take place at the Olympic Stadium in Moscow, Russia. On the release date, 7,000 tickets were sold.

October 2018: WBA orders Usyk to negotiate with Lebedev

On September 5, 2018, the WBA ordered Oleksandr Usyk to start negotiating with Denis Lebedev and gave them until the first week of October 2018 to complete negotiations. There was a stumbling block for the potential Usyk vs. Bellew fight.

November 2018: Usyk vs. Bellew fight likely to take place

By the end of July, it was said the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tony Bellew would likely take place in November 2018 in London. On August 20, it was reported the fight was likely to take place on November 10, 2018.

2018: Usyk comments on 2018 being difficult but successful

After defeating Tony Bellew, Oleksandr Usyk stated that 2018 was the most difficult year of his career, but also the most successful.

2018: Spong defeated Perea

In 2018 Tyrone Spong only taken the distance where he defeated Ytalo Perea.

2018: Usyk calls out Tony Bellew

In 2018, after winning the Muhammad Ali Trophy, Oleksandr Usyk called out Tony Bellew, expressing his willingness to move up or down in weight to make the fight happen.

May 2019: Usyk's fight with Takam postponed due to injury

In May 2019, Oleksandr Usyk's fight against Carlos Takam, scheduled for May 25, was postponed due to a bicep injury suffered by Usyk.

September 2019: Usyk's heavyweight and American debut announced

On September 3, 2019, it was announced that Oleksandr Usyk's heavyweight and American debut would be on October 12 against Tyrone Spong in Chicago. A few days before the fight, Spong tested positive for a banned substance.

2019: Usyk vs Bellew fight likely to be pushed back

Prior to negotiations, Tony Bellew stated the fight must happen in 2018. According to Eddie Hearn, the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tony Bellew was likely to be pushed back to 2019.

March 2020: Usyk to fight Chisora

On March 11, 2020, Oleksandr Usyk's fight against Derek Chisora was announced for May 23 at The O2 Arena in London, to be broadcast on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN.

October 2020: Usyk vs. Chisora fight pushed back to October 31

In October 2020, the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Derek Chisora was pushed back to October 31 due to the pandemic, and the venue was moved to The SSE Arena in London.

May 2021: WBO orders Joshua to fight Usyk

On May 22, 2021, the WBO instructed Anthony Joshua to fight Oleksandr Usyk, with an agreement for the bout to be in place by May 31, after Joshua's camp failed to reach an agreement for a fight with Tyson Fury.

September 2021: Joshua rematch clause activated

On September 29, 2021, four days after Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua, it was announced that the rematch clause had been activated. Usyk expressed his desire for the rematch to take place in Ukraine.

February 2022: Usyk joins territorial defense battalion in Ukraine

In February 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Oleksandr Usyk returned to Ukraine and joined a territorial defense battalion.

June 2022: Usyk-Joshua Rematch Announced

On June 19, 2022, the Oleksandr Usyk vs. Anthony Joshua rematch was officially announced to be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 20. It marked Usyk's first defense of his world heavyweight titles.