Five Things You Might Not Know About Oleksandr “The Cat” Usyk

Oleksandr Usyk has carved out one of the most remarkable careers in modern boxing, becoming undisputed champion in two weight classes—cruiserweight and heavyweight. But beyond his mastery in the ring, Usyk’s story is filled with fascinating details that help explain his unique personality and lasting appeal.

Here are five curiosities about “The Cat”:

1. From Goalkeeper to Global ChampionBefore he laced up boxing gloves, Usyk’s first sporting love was football. He played as a goalkeeper for the youth academy of Ukrainian club SC Tavriya Simferopol until the age of 15, when he made the switch to boxing—a decision that changed the course of his life.

2. Olympic GloryUsyk’s amateur career was nothing short of extraordinary, boasting a record of 335 wins and just 15 losses. His crowning moment came at the 2012 London Olympics, where he captured gold in the heavyweight division. Usyk treasures that medal above all, once saying, “I have many belts, but only one Olympic gold.”

3. A Historic Triple CrownIn the “four-belt era,” no male boxer had ever been a three-time undisputed champion—until Usyk. He first swept the cruiserweight division, then repeated the feat twice at heavyweight, cementing his place in boxing history.

4. The Untouchable “Cat”Despite facing larger, more powerful opponents throughout his career, Usyk has never been knocked down in the pros. His footwork, reflexes, and ring IQ have allowed him to evade the kind of punches that drop most heavyweights.

5. From the Ring to the Big ScreenUsyk has stepped outside the ropes to show a different side of himself—acting. He appeared alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the MMA drama The Smashing Machine, proving he’s just as comfortable on a film set as he is under the bright lights of the ring.

With his mix of skill, resilience, and charisma, Oleksandr Usyk is more than just a champion—he’s a one-of-a-kind figure in boxing, with a story still being written.