Oleksandr Usyk suffered defeat to Deontay Wilder conqueror at 2008 Olympics but got ultimate revenge to claim gold medal four years later

07/19/2024 02:44 PM

Oleksandr Usyk suffered the ultimate heartache but bounced back to be crowned Olympic champion in 2012.

Usyk is considered the current pound-for-pound leading fighter in the sport, having made history as an undisputed champion at both cruiserweight and most recently heavyweight.

But his success story began at amateur level where he twice represented Ukraine at the Summer Olympics, which is often considered as the pinnacle before turning professional.

His first appearance came in 2008 where he was called up as a late replacement to make an appearance in the heavyweight division.

First the Ukrainian outpointed Yushan Nijiati to reach the quarter finals, where he would come up against his nemesis Clemente Russo.

The Italian was on a quest for stardom and a medal of his own, and he was far more experienced at this level.

Usyk was unfortunately denied his opportunity to meet American star Deontay Wilder in the semi-final in his bracket, as he succumbed to a 4-7 points defeat.

Wilder would instead meet Russo in the final, where his Olympic dream was also shattered as the power-punching American was dominated and beaten 7-1.

Russo was only able to pick up a silver medal, as he was beaten by Rakim Chakkhiev in the final.

Despite failing to secure gold, Usyk did not give up and got a second bite of the cherry in London in 2012.

He first came up against Artur Beterbiev, with the pair having one win apiece against each other in previous amateur contests.

Beterbiev was outpointed by Usyk, but has gone on to have a sensational professional career where he is the current reigning unified light-heavyweight world champion.

Usyk then went on to beat Tervel Pulev to set up a final which involved in a familiar foe in previous rival Russo.

The pair came together in a huge head-to-head, but Usyk was more fired up than ever before.

And it was this time ‘The Cat’ that climbed into the ring and boxed his way to victory in a cagey affair.

He had learned from his defeat and was the quicker and more-skilled fighter on the night, condemning Russo to another silver medal.

Usyk became the third Olympic boxing gold medallist in his country’s history, after Wladimir Klitschko in 1996 and Vasyl Lomachenko in 2008.

Russo was an Italian police officer, and he never did turn professional despite his hugely successful amateur background.

David Price, a Briton who had boxed the two-time silver medallist, insisted he frustrated his opponents despite not possessing ‘natural power’.

He said: “He’d get so far before being found out. Because he doesn’t hit too hard.

“But it’s unfair to say because a lot of good amateurs don’t make it as a pro. They are totally different games so it depends how he would have adapted. Russo had Olympic pedigree.

“He was never technically great or good to watch, he’s just effective at what he does.

“He didn’t hit hard. He was just awkward and threw shots from different angles. In the amateurs, everyone is quite similarly well-schooled but he wasn’t, he was unorthodox.

“I sat around with James DeGale, Stephen Smith and Frankie Gavin and we’d say: ‘How does this guy get wins?'”

After his successful Olympic run, Usyk has become a history-maker in the professional ranks and has cemented his name in the record books forever.

He has fought 22 times without defeat, graduating from the cruiserweight division with all four belts.

Despite doubts over his size, Usyk blitzed through the heavyweight division scoring two upset wins over Anthony Joshua to take the unified crown.

The 37-year-old became the first undisputed champion in the four-belt era at heavyweight by beating Tyson Fury in May.

He will next rematch the ‘Gypsy King’ in December, and will then assess his options after achieving some incredible feats.