Oleksandr Usyk 2021: Record, Net Worth, Salary, and Endorsements

Who is Oleksandr Usyk?

Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk is a Ukrainian professional boxer who fights in the heavyweight division. He is the current unified heavyweight champion, former undisputed cruiserweight world champion, and one of the few to have held all four belts in the sport.

At present, he is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the sport. As of April 2024, he sits at #3 on the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board and the Ring Magazine ratings while ranking #2 on ESPN's list of divisional boxing rankings in the heavyweight class. Prior to dominating the professional game, Usyk showed his prowess in the amateur scene.

According to boxrec, the Ukrainian has a frankly unbelievable amateur record of 335-15. Along with this incredible record, he picked up several titles. The most significant of all was his 2012 Olympic Gold medal.

Subsequently, he turned pro in the cruiserweight division and, as of April 2024, is still unbeaten despite moving up to heavyweight and clinching the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles in the heavyweight division. 2024 could be the biggest year for Usyk, as he is in line to fight for the undisputed heavyweight title against Tyson Fury, the current WBC and Ring Magazine champion. If successful, he could be the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

He has also started his own promotional company called Usyk-17 Promotions.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Early Life

Oleksandr Usyk, born in 1987 in Simferopol, Ukraine, is a towering figure in the world of boxing, not just physically but also due to his remarkable achievements. Growing up in Ukraine, Usyk began his boxing journey at a young age, inspired by his father's interest in the sport. Originally starting in football, Usyk's exceptional footwork caught attention early on. However, fate had boxing in store for him. At 15, he shifted his focus and embarked on a rigorous training journey that would define his career.

Usyk's talent quickly became evident as he rose through the ranks. His amateur career was a string of successes, culminating in a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics in the heavyweight division. His record of 335 wins out of 350 fights speaks volumes about his early dominance and skill.

Beyond his athletic prowess, Usyk is a man of faith, deeply committed to his Christian beliefs. Family plays a pivotal role in his life, serving as his source of strength and motivation.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Wife and Children

Oleksandr Usyk has been married to Yekaterina Usyk (also sometimes called Kateryna) for about 15 years, keeping their relationship private. They got married in 2009, about 4 years before Usyk made his professional debut in 2013. They have four children together: daughter Yelizaveta, sons Mykhailo and Kyrylo, and a daughter Maria born in January 2024. Usyk's boxing career has meant missing some family events, but they appear to be a close unit with Yekaterina supporting him at fights whenever possible. He also carries with him a soft plush toy given to him by his son, who believes it to be a lucky charm keeping his father safe.

Usyk and his young family had to flee their home in Vorzel, Bucha, when the area was overrun by Vladimir Putin's troops in 2022 during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Net Worth 2024

Usyk is one of the biggest boxers in the sport at the moment. It is therefore not surprising that his net worth should also reflect that fact. The unified heavyweight champion as of January 2024 worth approximately $50 million. Majority of his income comes from boxing purses, while some are from endorsements and investments. A huge chunk of his net worth is thanks to the two fights he undertook against the former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in 2021 and 2022. Especially the second fight, according to InsideSport, is estimated to have netted the Ukrainian more than $75 million in total.

Before his historic fights against Anthony Joshua, was fighting for a five-figure payday. Five years later, things are different. Here are the purse details from some of his other fights:-

Date	Opponent	Result / Round	Location	Total Purse
Sept 2017	Marco Huck	TKO / 10	Germany	$70,000
July 2018	Murat Gassiev	UD / 12	Russia	$400,000
Nov 2018	Tony Bellew	KO / 8	England	$1,000,000
Oct 2020	Derek Chisora	UD / 12	England	$2,300,000
Sept 2021	Anthony Joshua 1	UD / 12	England	$20,000,000
Aug 2022	Anthony Joshua 2	SD / 12	Saudi Arabia	$75,000,000
Aug 2023	Daniel Dubois	KO / 9	Poland	$6,000,000

Oleksandr Usyk’s Career Timeline

As of April 2024, Usyk's record stands at a perfect 21-0. 14 of these have come through knockouts, which gives him a respectable 66.67% knockout rate. Usyk began his professional boxing journey on November 9, 2013, in Kiev, Ukraine. His first opponent was Felipe Romero, whom he defeated via a fifth-round technical knockout (TKO). This victory marked the beginning of Usyk's rise in the cruiserweight division.

Usyk's path to championship glory gained momentum in 2015 as he faced and defeated experienced fighters such as Andrei Kniazev, Johnny Muller, and South African boxer Thabiso Mchunu. These victories not only added to his undefeated record but also demonstrated his ability to handle diverse styles and challenges inside the ring.

In 2016, Usyk's career took a significant leap forward when he fought for the WBO cruiserweight title against Krzysztof Glowacki. The bout took place on September 17, 2016, in Gdansk, Poland. Usyk delivered a dominant performance, outclassing Glowacki with his technical skills and securing a unanimous decision victory. This win made Usyk the new WBO cruiserweight champion, signaling his arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the division.

Usyk's quest for unification continued as he faced Mairis Briedis on January 27, 2018, in Riga, Latvia, in the World Boxing Super Series semi-final. The fight was highly anticipated, with both boxers putting on a memorable performance. Usyk faced a tough challenge in Briedis but ultimately emerged victorious via a majority decision, adding the WBC cruiserweight title to his collection.

The final step in Usyk's unification journey came in the World Boxing Super Series final against Murat Gassiev on July 21, 2018, in Moscow, Russia. This bout was for the undisputed cruiserweight championship, with all four major belts on the line. Usyk delivered a masterclass performance, outboxing Gassiev over 12 rounds and winning via a unanimous decision. With this victory, Usyk became the first undisputed cruiserweight champion since Evander Holyfield, solidifying his status as one of the best in the division's history.

After achieving dominance in the cruiserweight division, Usyk made the decision to move up to heavyweight, seeking new challenges and opportunities. His first fight in the heavyweight division took place on October 12, 2019, against Chazz Witherspoon in Chicago, Illinois. Usyk showcased his skill and adaptability, defeating Witherspoon via a seventh-round TKO and announcing his arrival as a legitimate contender in the heavyweight ranks.

Usyk's most significant heavyweight bout to date occurred on September 25, 2021, against Anthony Joshua in London, England. This fight was for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles, with Usyk looking to make history by becoming a two-weight world champion. In a stunning upset, Usyk outboxed and outclassed Joshua over 12 rounds, securing a unanimous decision victory and becoming the new unified heavyweight champion of the world. However, for Joshua that wasn't the end as he quickly invoked the rematch clause, and thus a second match was finalized.

The highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and AJ, dubbed "Rage on the Red Sea", took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 20, 2022. Usyk entered the fight aiming to defend his WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles. The fight went the full distance, with Usyk employing his signature southpaw stance and exceptional footwork to outbox and outmaneuver Joshua throughout most of the twelve rounds. Despite a more aggressive approach in the later rounds, the judges awarded a split decision victory (115-113, 116-112, 113-115) to Usyk, cementing his reign as the unified heavyweight champion.

Usyk's first title defense against Daniel Dubois in Poland in August 2023 was a close call. A controversial low blow from Dubois in round five gave Usyk a chance to recover. Usyk capitalized, winning by knockout in the ninth round.

However, nothing compares to the importance of his next fight against Tyson Fury on May 18, 2024. The winner will be crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion, holding all four major belts (WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC) for the first time in over 25 years. This will be one for the books. Is he ready to take on the might of the 'Gypsy King'?

Oleksandr Usyk’s Partnerships and Endorsements

Usyk rakes in major money from sponsorships with well-known companies such as Nike and Adidas. The Olympic gold medalist earns about $20 million from the sports apparel companies. According to some reports, the heavyweight champion also has endorsements, with Rival boxing (equipment), Jaxet (clothing), Lomus (fashion) and WePlay Esports (video games), which brings him approximately $1 million.

Beyond the ring, Usyk is a multi-faceted entrepreneur. He co-owns a boxing social media platform called ‘Ready to Fight’ and also runs a non-profit organization to help people from Ukraine recover from the ongoing war. His philanthropic side shines through his non-profit organization. The 37-year-old also founded his own boxing promotion company, Usyk-17 Promotions, which helps young athletes begin a career in the sport.

Usyk proves you don't need a silver tongue to be heavyweight royalty. Sure, he might not be a master of the mic, but his lightning jabs are a far more lucrative investment. His genuine smile and eye contact connect with fans in a way that translates to millions, proving that sometimes silence speaks louder than boasts.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Career, Stats, and Record

Usyk's upcoming fight with Tyson Fury is massive for boxing. This fight is a clash of styles: Usyk, the smaller, more technical boxer, versus Fury, the larger, unorthodox fighter. A win for Usyk would solidify his dominance as a heavyweight who can overcome size with skill. For Fury, victory would be the final piece in his legacy, unifying the division and potentially leading to retirement.

Next fight: May 18 vs. Tyson Fury

Record: 21-0, 14 KOs

DOB: Jan. 17, 1987

Age: 37

Stance: Southpaw

Reach: 78 inches

Height: 6-foot-3

Oleksandr Usyk’s Charity and Foundation

Oleksandr Usyk established the Usyk Foundation, is a non-profit organization, in 2022 after witnessing Russsia's invasion of Ukraine first-hand. The fund is dedicated to helping Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion by providing for their basic needs. They created the Usyk Foundation in order to mobilize financial support from the international community — caring people who want to contribute to the advent of peace. To date, the non-profit organization has distributed $740,000 to the Ukrainian armed forces; has sent out 30 vans filled with humanitarian aid; donated 67 cars for transport for the armed forces; and has held 7 charity auctions to help to contribute more help for the Ukrainian people.

Usyk is also the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Ready to Fight, a digital social platform for boxers. The platform aims to revolutionize the boxing industry by creating a digital ecosystem where athletes can seamlessly connect and collaborate with coaches, managers, agents, sparring partners, sports medicine professionals, promoters, sponsors, and fans. It hopes to create a space where up and coming boxers can find a voice and representation without having to go through the tedious process of finding a promoter or coach on one's own.

  Oleksandr Usyk’s Titles

Oleksandr Usyk's trophy cabinet showcases his dominance across two weight divisions. As an amateur, he rose to prominence with a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. Turning professional, he conquered the cruiserweight division, collecting all four major world titles: WBA (Super), WBC, IBF, and WBO. This feat made him the first undisputed cruiserweight champion in history.

In 2019, Usyk set his sights on the heavyweight crown. He quickly captured the WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO titles by defeating Anthony Joshua in 2021. In their 2022 rematch, Usyk added the prestigious Ring Magazine title to his collection, solidifying his reign as the unified heavyweight champion. Come May 18, he will fight to add another undisputed title to his list of accomplishments. In doing so, he will be the only fourth boxer to ever hold the undisputed champion status in two weight classes in the four-belt era.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Social Media Accounts

Instagram	@usykaa
Twitter	@usykaa
Facebook	Oleksandr Usyk
Website	https://www.usyk.com.ua/en/

Personal Information

Full Name	Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk
Popular Name	Oleksandr Usyk
Date Of Birth	January 17, 1987
Birth Place	Simferopol, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Crimea, Ukraine)
Age	37
Height	6′3″ (191 cms)
Weight	221 lbs
Parents	Not widely known
Siblings	Viktoriia Usyk and another sibling
Nationality	Ukrainian
Ethnicity	Ukrainian
Net Worth	$50 million
Salary
Spouse	Yekaterina Usyk
Relationship/Marital Status	Married
Children	4 - Yelizaveta, Mykhailo, Kyrylo, and Maria
Profession	Professional Boxer
Team	Team Usyk
Titles	WBA, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine Heavyweight champion