Oleksandr Usyk is a personality like no other. His charm as a lovable goof, coupled with his skills as a technically gifted boxer, has made him an immediate fan favorite. Beneath this character, however, lies a man proud of his nation and a father deeply in love with his kids, and a man dedicated to his faith. Proof of such an assertion? Well, look no further, because his tattoos give it all away.

On the 23rd of May at the Pyramids of Giza, Usyk will undertake the much-awaited fight against Rico Verhoeven. As he maneuvers around the ring that night, on display will be his many tattoos that have their own story to tell.

What is the meaning behind Oleksandr Usyk’s right shoulder tattoo?

On his right shoulder, the Simferopol, Ukraine native has the national coat of arms of Ukraine tattooed. The shield with a trident is colloquially called ‘tryzub.’ The trident was not considered a national symbol until 1979, when a prominent national historian suggested adopting it to exhibit national pride. Usyk’s dedication to his family extends to his arms, where the names of his two children, Yelizaveta and Kyrylo, are permanently etched in his native Ukrainian script.

These names translate to Elizabeth and Kyrill in English, respectively. Usyk married his wife, Yekaterina, in the year 2009. They have four kids together: Kyrylo, Mykhalio, Yelizaveta, and a daughter who was born last year when the fighter was preparing himself in Spain for his Tyson Fury match, which was earlier scheduled for February until its postponement due to Fury’s sparring injury.

Are there any other tattoos on Oleksandr Usyk’s body?

Oleksandr Usyk proudly sports two Olympic rings tattoos, each honoring a key milestone in his amateur boxing career. On his left forearm, the rings sit above a map outlined with the word ‘London,’ symbolizing his gold medal win at the 2012 London Olympics, where he defeated Italy’s Clemente Russo to bag the top prize.

On his right forearm, the rings are accompanied by the word ‘Beijing’ and the year 2008, marking his appearance at the Beijing Olympics, where he lost to Russo in the quarter-finals. Though he didn’t win a medal in 2008, both tattoos reflect Usyk’s great pride in representing Ukraine on the global stage.

It’s no secret that Oleksandr Usyk is a loyal patriot at heart, and the deeply symbolic tattoo on his lower back represents the same sentiment perfectly. The tattoo? An angel that closely resembles the statue of Archangel Michael standing atop the Lach Gates at Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine. The angel is depicted holding a sword, signifying protection and the defense of the nation against invasion or harm. 

This powerful tattoo represents Usyk’s strong sense of patriotism and spiritual connection to his homeland. It also reflects his country’s resilience, especially amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. Not to forget, Usyk has often used his fame and platform to honor Ukrainian soldiers, famously dedicating his victory over Anthony Joshua to the brave men and women defending Kyiv and the country’s freedom.