Who Was Oleksandr Usyk’s Father? What Happened to Him?

Oleksandr Usyk has the opportunity to become a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion! In the upcoming weekend at Wembley Stadium, the undefeated Ukrainian will square off against Daniel Dubois. However, ahead of the fight, curiosity is building around something else. At the Tyson Fury post-fight presser last year, upon being congratulated by the world, Usyk broke down in tears when a reporter asked him a question about his father. Why?

Usyk’s story is laced with a bittersweet element tied to his father. Details about Usyk’s personal life are relatively scarce, but one aspect shines through – the immense role his dad played in his journey. Let’s dig into Usyk’s background and explore the reason why the remembrance of his father still makes the champion teary-eyed.

All we know about Oleksandr Usyk’s father

Unfortunately, not much is known about Usyk’s father and parents, for that matter. Usyk, born to parents Nadiya Petrovna Usyk and Oleksandr Anatoliyovych Usyk, from northern Ukraine, boasts a noteworthy heritage. Sources reveal that his mother hails from the village of Rybotyn, Korop Raion, nestled within the Chernihiv region of Ukraine, while his father has his roots in the town of Sumy, also situated in Ukraine. 

Usyk’s mother pursued her studies in Simferopol and simultaneously engaged in the construction industry while his father served as military personnel, with a notable assignment in Afghanistan as part of the Soviet army. The duo crossed paths when Usyk’s father was working as a safety officer in Crimea. Soon after, they were married until his departure from this world.

How did Oleksandr Usyk’s father die?

Usyk’s father passed away in 2012 after ‘The Cat’ won gold at the London Olympics. While a specific cause of death isn’t publicly known, some sources say a heart attack was the reason. Speaking about his father’s death in an interview with TNT Sports, he said, “He watched me become an Olympic champion, but I didn’t make it on time to show him the gold medal… When I arrived, he was already lying in the coffin. I handed him the medal, put it in his dead hand, and then left the room…” 

Oleksandr Usyk’s tribute to his father

After the shock and excitement from his spectacular win over Tyson Fury had settled, Usyk’s thoughts turned to his father, without whom he wouldn’t have made it this far. Speaking to the reporters about his late father, Usyk grew emotional as his eyes filled with tears and his voice started trembling. 

“I miss my father, and I said to him, ‘You live there and I live here, please don’t come for me, I love you. For me, it is hard when my father comes back to me because I remember all life. I know he is here, maybe sitting out there,” Usyk admitted, as the pleasant memories of his father reminded him of how he got to the top. 

Beyond his impressive career, Oleksandr Usyk’s story is deeply personal. We’ve explored his journey to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, but is there more to his father’s influence that we haven’t touched on? Share your thoughts in the comments below!