There are fighters who dominate, and then there’s Oleksandr Usyk — a boxer who seems to rewrite the rules entirely. With an unblemished professional record of 22 wins and 14 knockouts, he has climbed from Olympic gold to undisputed world champion in two divisions.
Undefeated Record: 22 wins, 0 losses (14 KOs) ·
Knockout Rate: 64% ·
Titles Held: Undisputed Heavyweight Champion, former Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion ·
Olympic Gold Medal: London 2012 (Heavyweight)
Quick snapshot
- Professional record: 22-0 (14 KOs) (TrillerTV fighter page)
- Won Olympic heavyweight gold at London 2012 (Wikipedia biography)
- Defeated Tyson Fury on 18 May 2024 to become undisputed heavyweight champion (Wikipedia biography)
- Who Usyk’s next opponent will be — no official announcement (ESPN analysis)
- Whether a third fight with Tyson Fury will happen in 2026 (ESPN analysis)
- 2012 – Olympic gold medal (Wikipedia biography)
- 2018 – Won World Boxing Super Series (cruiserweight) (Wikipedia biography)
- 2021 – Defeated Anthony Joshua for unified heavyweight titles (Wikipedia biography)
- May 2024 – Defeated Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champion (Wikipedia biography)
- Next bout scheduled against Rico Verhoeven on 23 May 2026 (DAZN event page)
- Must defend WBC belt against interim champion Agit Kabayel after a voluntary defense (ESPN report)
Seven key facts about Usyk, pulled together from the most reliable records:
| Full name | Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Usyk |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Born | 17 January 1987 |
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) |
| Reach | 198 cm |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Professional record | 22 wins, 0 losses, 14 KOs |
Has Usyk ever lost a boxing fight?
No. Usyk’s professional record stands at a perfect 22–0 with 14 knockouts, according to TrillerTV’s official fighter statistics. He has never been knocked down in a professional bout. His Wikipedia biography confirms he won an Olympic gold medal in 2012 and has not tasted defeat in the paid ranks.
Has Usyk ever been knocked down?
- He has never been knocked down in his professional career (TrillerTV record).
- In his closest fight (Mairis Briedis, 2018), he took hard shots but remained upright (Wikipedia biography).
An undefeated southpaw with zero knockdowns against top competition — that statistical rarity forces every future opponent to rethink their game plan.
Bottom line: Usyk has never lost a professional fight and has never been knocked down. His record is among the cleanest in heavyweight history.
Who will Usyk fight next?
Usyk’s next bout is reported to be against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven on 23 May 2026, broadcast on DAZN Pay-Per-View. However, ESPN notes that demand for that matchup is low and that Usyk gave up the WBO belt in November rather than face Fabio Wardley. After a voluntary defense, the WBC has ordered him to face interim champion Agit Kabayel.
Potential opponents for Usyk’s next fight
- Rico Verhoeven — scheduled for 23 May 2026 (DAZN)
- Daniel Dubois or Joseph Parker — rumored as alternatives (ESPN)
- Agit Kabayel — mandatory WBC challenger after a voluntary defense (ESPN)
The pattern: Usyk largely controls his own calendar, but mandatory obligations and financial incentives could steer him in unexpected directions.
Is Tyson Fury fighting Usyk again in 2026?
Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision on 18 May 2024 (Wikipedia biography). A second win over Fury is listed in the timeline as December 2025, but no official contract for a third fight has been reported. ESPN states that Fury has indicated a possible return in 2026, but the bout remains speculation.
What is the status of a potential trilog?
- Fury has expressed interest in a rematch after his two losses (ESPN).
- No contracts signed; Usyk’s camp is focused on the Verhoeven bout first (DAZN).
A third Fury fight would generate enormous revenue, but mandatory WBC obligations and Verhoeven’s contract mean Usyk may not have a free window until late 2026.
What is Usyk’s religion?
Usyk is a devout Christian. Wikipedia notes his faith, and he regularly prays before fights. In interviews he has said, “I believe in God and I believe in myself. This is my foundation.”
How does Usyk’s faith influence his career?
- He credits his Christian faith for the discipline that drives his training regimen (ESPN feature).
- He often makes the sign of the cross before fights and thanks God in victory speeches.
The implication: Usyk’s faith is not a side note; it shapes his mental toughness and public identity as a clean-living champion.
Who was Usyk’s toughest opponent?
Many observers point to Tyson Fury as Usyk’s hardest test. Their May 2024 bout was razor-close, with Wikipedia showing scores of 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113. ESPN describes the fight as a war of adjustments.
Tyson Fury
- Split decision, 18 May 2024 — reached the scorecards for the first time in Usyk’s career (Wikipedia).
- Fury’s size (206 cm) and awkwardness posed unique problems.
Mairis Briedis
- WBSS final, 2018 — majority decision win for Usyk after a punishing battle (Wikipedia).
- Many analysts consider Briedis the toughest cruiserweight Usyk has faced.
Derek Chisora
- Usyk stopped Chisora in the 10th round (2020), but Chisora landed heavy shots early (Wikipedia).
The trade-off: Fury was the most skillful, Briedis the most durable, Chisora the most physical. Each tested a different aspect of Usyk’s game.
Timeline: Oleksandr Usyk’s career milestones
- 2012 – Won heavyweight gold medal at London Olympics (Wikipedia)
- 2013 – Turned professional with a win over Felipe Romero (Wikipedia)
- 2018 – Won World Boxing Super Series (cruiserweight), becoming undisputed champion (Wikipedia)
- 2019 – Unified WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF cruiserweight titles (Wikipedia)
- 2021 – Defeated Anthony Joshua to become unified heavyweight champion (Wikipedia)
- May 2024 – Defeated Tyson Fury to become undisputed heavyweight champion (Wikipedia)
What we know for sure vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Usyk has never lost a professional fight (TrillerTV)
- He won Olympic gold in 2012 (Wikipedia)
- He is a devout Christian (Wikipedia)
- He defeated Tyson Fury on 18 May 2024 (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Who his next opponent will be — the Verhoeven deal is not officially confirmed (ESPN)
- Whether a third Fury fight will occur in 2026 (ESPN)
- Exact net worth — estimates vary widely and no official figure exists
What people are saying
“Usyk is a great champion, the best I’ve faced.”
— Tyson Fury, post-fight press conference (ESPN)
“I believe in God and I believe in myself. This is my foundation.”
— Oleksandr Usyk, in a 2024 interview (DAZN)
For Ukrainian boxing fans, Usyk’s journey from a Simferopol gym to undisputed greatness symbolises resilience. The decision for matchmakers is clear: build around a fighter who has never been beaten, or risk a mismatch that could damage his legacy.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Oleksandr Usyk?
191 cm (6 ft 3 in) (Wikipedia).
What is Usyk’s reach?
198 cm (Wikipedia).
How many knockouts does Usyk have?
14 KOs out of 22 wins (TrillerTV).
Who trained Oleksandr Usyk?
His longtime trainer is Anatoly Lomachenko, father of Vasiliy Lomachenko (Wikipedia).
What is Usyk’s net worth?
Estimates vary, but most sources place it between $50 million and $80 million — no official figure is available.
Where was Usyk born?
Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine (Wikipedia).
Did Usyk fight at welterweight?
No. He started as a heavyweight in the Olympics and fought at cruiserweight before moving up to heavyweight as a professional.
Is Usyk fighting in 2026?
Yes — he is scheduled to fight Rico Verhoeven on 23 May 2026 (DAZN).
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.