In the early hours of July 20, Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk defeated Britain\u2019s Daniel Dubois and once again became the undisputed world champion. This is the third time he has held all the major boxing belts\u2014something no one has ever done before. But this is far from the first record set by Ukrainian athletes in boxing.<\/p>\n
Ukrainians have already proven their courage and strength on the battlefield. In their war against the world\u2019s largest country\u2014Russia, which is 28 times bigger in land area than Ukraine\u2014they continue to mount a successful resistance. Ukrainians are remarkable warriors, and their triumphs in sports competitions are further proof of that. Even when the opponents are also much bigger and are favorites.<\/p>\n
Only 33 years have passed since Ukraine regained independence, yet in that time, 15 Ukrainians have become world boxing champions:<\/p>\n
Vitali Klitschko \u2014 1999<\/p>\n
Volodymyr Klitschko \u2014 2000<\/p>\n
Alina Shaternikova \u2014 2002<\/p>\n
Volodymyr Sydorenko \u2014 2005<\/p>\n
Serhiy Dzinziruk \u2014 2005<\/p>\n
Andriy Kotelnyk \u2014 2008<\/p>\n
Yuriy Nuzhnenko \u2014 2008<\/p>\n
Vyacheslav Senchenko \u2014 2009<\/p>\n
Vasyliy Lomachenko \u2014 2014<\/p>\n
Viktor Postol \u2014 2015<\/p>\n
Oleksandr Usyk \u2014 2016<\/p>\n
Artem Dalakyan \u2014 2018<\/p>\n
Oleksandr Gvozdyk \u2014 2018<\/p>\n
Serhii Bohachuk \u2014 2024<\/p>\n
Denys Berinchyk \u2014 2024<\/p>\n
Even if you\u2019re not a boxing fan, you\u2019ve likely heard some of these names.<\/p>\n
Vitalii and Volodymyr Klitschko made it into the Guinness World Records for the most fights held by brothers, and these fights were almost always triumphant. From July 2011 to December 2013, the brothers held all the major heavyweight titles within the family.<\/p>\n
And this incredible run didn\u2019t end in defeat\u2014Vitali Klitschko simply retired. His achievements were so significant that the World Boxing Council (WBC) named him Champion Emeritus for life. His legendary 2003 fight against Britain\u2019s Lennox Lewis is still one of boxing\u2019s greatest \u201cwhat-ifs.\u201d The doctor stopped the fight before the 7th round due to a cut on Klitschko\u2019s face, even though he was ahead on the judges’ scorecards. Fans eagerly awaited a rematch, but Lewis retired afterward.<\/p>\n
Volodymyr Klitschko, the younger brother, also cemented his legacy in boxing history \u2014 both professional and amateur. He is an Olympic champion. Some of Volodymyr\u2019s records include:<\/p>\n
The most opponents defeated in world title fights\u201423. For comparison: second, third, and fourth place belong to boxing icons Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, and Larry Holmes. In fifth is Vitalii Klitschko, with 15 title defenses.<\/p>\n
The longest reign as world heavyweight champion\u20144,382 days, or 12 years. After Volodymyr come legends like Joe Louis (11.7 years), Larry Holmes (7.3 years), and Jack Dempsey (7.2 years).<\/p>\n
Volodymyr was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2021, during his first year of eligibility.<\/p>\n
Another achievement of the Klitschko brothers: they were among the oldest reigning champions. They hold second and third place in history for age among heavyweight champions, after George Foreman. Vitalii won a title at 42 years, 150 days, and Volodymyr at 39 years, 248 days. There are still rumors that Volodymyr might return to the ring to break Foreman\u2019s record (46 years, 170 days).<\/p>\n
What about other Ukrainian champions?<\/p>\n
In 2012, one of the sport\u2019s biggest upsets occurred. The famous Ricky Hatton stepped into the ring in his hometown of Manchester against Ukrainian underdog Vyacheslav Senchenko. Previously, only two boxing legends\u2014Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao\u2014had defeated Hatton.<\/p>\n
But in the 9th round, Senchenko landed a perfect liver shot, and Hatton fell to the canvas in pain. That knockout ended the Brit\u2019s career.<\/p>\n
Another notable Ukrainian underdog victory: Andriy Kotelnyk\u2019s 2008 fight in Cardiff against undefeated Welsh world champion Gavin Rees (27 wins, 0 losses). In the final minute of the 12th round, Kotelnyk landed a brilliant combo\u2014left, right, right\u2014and Rees collapsed. The referee helped him up, but Kotelnyk unleashed another devastating attack, forcing the referee to stop the fight.<\/p>\n
Viktor Postol admitted himself: \u201cNo one believed I could beat Lucas Matthysse and become a world champion.\u201d In 2015, the odds favored the skilled Argentine at 1.36, while Postol\u2019s were 3.40. The result? Postol knocked him out in the 10th round.<\/p>\n
The recent sensation Oleksandr Usyk is a true machine of upsets. In 2012, he won the Olympics, entering the ring as a free Ukrainian warrior\u2014a Cossack\u2014and celebrated his wins with a traditional Hopak dance. No coincidence: as a child, Usyk trained in Ukrainian folk dance, which shaped the unique agility and fluidity of his fighting style. His nickname\u2014The Cat\u2014fits perfectly.<\/p>\n
Originally a natural cruiserweight, Usyk first became the undisputed champion in that division, then moved up to heavyweight. In this new category, the \u201csmall\u201d and \u201clight-hitting\u201d Ukrainian was given no chance against two-meter-tall titans. But he systematically defeated all the top contenders: Anthony Joshua (twice), Tyson Fury (twice), and Daniel Dubois (twice as well, of course).<\/p>\n
As a result, a completely cleared-out division, zero losses, every possible title, and the #1 spot in the Pound-for-Pound rankings. This has never happened in boxing history.<\/p>\n
Ukrainians really do know how to fight.<\/p>\n
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