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Oleksandr Usyk: From Early Setbacks to Greatness in the Ring
When the name Oleksandr Usyk comes up in conversations about boxing greatness, one thing is clear: his legacy is already etched in the history books. The Ukrainian maestro has achieved feats that few can rival, securing his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer no matter how the final chapters of his career unfold.
As an amateur, Usyk won gold at the European Championships, the World Championships, and the Olympic Games, an illustrious trifecta that reflects his dominance on the amateur circuit.
Transitioning to the professional ranks, he became one of only three male fighters in the four-belt era to achieve undisputed champion status in two weight classes. Yet, beneath the layers of accolades and achievements lies a remarkable story of perseverance that nearly ended before it even began.
A Father’s Wisdom After Defeat
Usyk’s journey to greatness began with a devastating roadblock: he lost his very first amateur bout. Like many young fighters, the sting of defeat hit hard, leading him to question whether he was cut out for the sport.
“I lost my first fight. [It felt] bad,” Usyk recalled on The Ring Podcast. “I thought, ‘Wow, I am not a good boxer.’”
While his coach encouraged him to keep trying, the young Usyk wasn’t convinced. He went home to his father, ready to call it quits. What happened next would change his life forever.
“[My father said] ‘You know Evander Holyfield?’” Usyk explained. “Then my father told me a story about Evander Holyfield. And I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll try again.’”
The story his father shared? Holyfield, one of boxing’s all-time greats, had also lost his first fight as an amateur. Inspired, Usyk gave boxing another shot, and two months later, he tasted victory in a local competition in Crimea.
The win meant everything to Usyk. “When I won, oh my God. I thought, ‘Yes, I can.’ I had a medal, I go home [and show my] papa. [He said], ‘Alex, congratulations, good.’” To celebrate the milestone, his father bought a cake—a rare treat for the family.
“That cake was special. We did not often eat cake, but he got cake,” Usyk said.
The Parallel Careers of Usyk and Holyfield
It’s poetic that the man who inspired Usyk to persevere has a career that mirrors his own in many ways. Like Usyk, Holyfield began as a cruiserweight, becoming the undisputed champion of the division before moving up to heavyweight to cement his legacy.
Holyfield’s introduction to boxing was no less challenging. At the age of 11, he lost his first fight to a boy named Cecil Collins. After a second loss to the same opponent, Holyfield quit boxing entirely.
“My mama said that I had to go back because she didn’t raise a quitter,” Holyfield shared. Her insistence paid off. Holyfield eventually defeated Collins in their third meeting, kickstarting one of the most iconic careers in boxing history.
From Setbacks to Stardom
Both Holyfield and Usyk exemplify what it means to persevere through adversity. Their early setbacks weren’t signs of failure but rather stepping stones toward legendary careers.
As Usyk continues his journey in the heavyweight division, his story serves as a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of family support. From that first amateur loss to becoming one of the greatest fighters to ever grace the squared circle, Usyk’s rise is a tale that will inspire generations to come.
If there’s one thing the careers of Usyk and Holyfield teach us, it’s this: even the greatest champions started with doubts—but they never stopped fighting.
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