Usyk's path to greatness in heavyweight boxing

From a poor debut to a fight at Wembley for the title of three-time undisputed champion

It is already in history.

Usyk’s last fight took place on 19 July 2025, when he faced British boxer Daniel Dubois at Wembley for the undisputed world heavyweight title. At that time, Usyk held the WBA, WBO, IBF, and The Ring belts, while Dubois carried the WBC interim title. The IBF belt that Dubois brought to the fight only became available after Usyk vacated it earlier this year, giving Dubois the chance to claim it in a bout against Anthony Joshua.

Now, we can look back at Usyk’s journey through the heavyweight division, reviewing the key milestones, challenges, and opponents he overcame to reach this historic moment. For fans looking to celebrate boxing greatness in other ways, a Richard Casino highlights platforms where sports enthusiasts can enjoy online betting and gaming safely, combining the thrill of competition with responsible entertainment.

1. Chas Witherspoon

Usyk made his heavyweight debut on 12 October 2019 in the United States. By that time, the Ukrainian had already made a name for himself — first by winning the World Boxing Super Series after defeating Russia’s Murat Gassiev in Moscow, and then by knocking out Britain’s Tony Bellew in Manchester.

Initially, Usyk was scheduled to face Carlos Takam, and later Tyrone Spong, but both fights collapsed. At short notice, American heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon stepped in, entering the bout with a professional record of 38 wins and 3 losses.

Usyk won by corner retirement after the seventh round, as Witherspoon’s team refused to let their fighter continue. However, despite the victory, Usyk received a fair amount of criticism. His performance was seen as less than convincing after moving up from cruiserweight to face bigger, heavier opponents.

2. Derek Chisora

After that, the COVID era began — a time when mass events were banned and boxing took place behind closed doors. Usyk and Chisora met at the small Wembley Arena without spectators, in an atmosphere that felt more like a closed sparring session than a major fight.

Oleksandr won by unanimous decision: 117–112, 115–113 (x2). However, the fight turned out to be one of the toughest tests in his heavyweight journey. Chisora pressured from the opening bell, using his physical strength, dirty tactics in the clinch, and constant forward movement to disrupt Usyk’s rhythm. For the first time, fans saw Usyk pushed to adapt to true heavyweight power.

Although he clearly outboxed Chisora in the later rounds, the fight sparked criticism from many boxing analysts. They claimed Usyk did not look like a natural heavyweight and doubted his chances against the division’s champions. But instead of proving them wrong with words — or through the hype often seen around the online casinos of boxing predictions — Usyk chose to do it step by step, in the ring.

3. Anthony Joshua

In the cruiserweight division, Usyk was the WBO ‘super champion’. Since he left the division as champion, this status allowed him to immediately claim the World Boxing Organisation title in the next weight class. The Ukrainian waited almost three years for his chance, and it finally came on 25 September 2021 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in a fight against Anthony Joshua.

At that time, the Briton was considered the clear favourite, but he was not destined to emerge victorious. Usyk gave a masterclass, defeating Joshua by unanimous decision and becoming world champion in two weight categories.

4. Anthony Joshua – the rematch

The mandatory rematch clause in the contract required Usyk to face Joshua a second time. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine slightly delayed the fight, but did not cancel it.

The boxers met in the ring on 20 August 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Joshua was better prepared this time, but it was still not enough — Usyk won by split decision and successfully defended his titles.

5. Daniel Dubois

In interviews, Oleksandr has always said he dreamed of defending his world heavyweight titles at home in Kyiv. This dream remains, but everyone understands that such an event is impossible in a country at war.

The mandatory title defence against Britain’s Daniel Dubois, who was nominally ‘home’ for Usyk, took place in Wroclaw, Poland. Usyk dominated the fight, avoiding an illegal blow below the belt and knocking out the challenger with a jab in the ninth round.

6. Tyson Fury

Usyk had become a major force in the heavyweight division. Not only had he won titles, but he had also defended them twice. The next step was clear.

Thanks to significant investments from Saudi Arabian promoters, a historic fight for the undisputed world heavyweight title was arranged against Britain’s Tyson Fury, who held a record of 34-0-1.

The tough and spectacular fight between the two top fighters ended with Usyk’s victory by split decision — a moment that will go down in history forever.

7. Tyson Fury – the rematch

Usyk and Fury's teams immediately signed a contract for two fights, so the rematch took place very quickly – seven months later. In the rematch, Tyson changed his tactics and approach to his body, but this rather worked against him. Alexander went through him even more confidently and defended his titles.

8. Daniel Dubois – rematch

Usyk’s next rematch was against Dubois, who had become the ‘interim’ champion by defeating Croatian Filip Hrgovic. The IBF required Usyk to defend his belt against the interim champion, but with a mandatory rematch against Fury, he vacated the title.

Dubois was promoted to ‘full’ world champion by the IBF, and his first title defence took place at Wembley against Anthony Joshua. The spectacular knockout confirmed Dubois as the undisputed No. 2 in the heavyweight division, while Usyk remained the undisputed world champion after their 19 July 2025 fight.