Oleksandr Usyk has been nothing short of perfect in his professional career.
The Ukrainian is one of the few undisputed world champions in the four-belt era, attaining the achievement at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.
Defeating the likes of Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, and Anthony Joshua, Usyk can be considered one of the best heavyweights of all time despite still being active. Usyk has even won two Ring Magazine ‘Fighter of the Year’ awards, one of the few men to do so in the 21st century.
Although Usyk is now at the top of the sport, he has been competing at a high level for quite some time. This even includes facing fellow future undisputed world champion at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Oleksandr Usyk faced Artur Beterbiev at London 2012 Olympic Games
At the London 2012 Olympic Games, Usyk would find himself taking on fellow modern-great Artur Beterbiev.
The pair would meet in the semi-finals of the heavyweight bracket at the Olympic Games. The fight was only contested over three rounds, as Usyk was able to win the bout via points.
The Ukrainian would be the man to advance to the final of the games, winning by 17 points to 13 points.
Usyk would go on to face Tervel Pulev in the final, winning a gold medal via points.
The bout would be the final amateur showing of Beterbiev’s career, turning professional after the bout. He would also go on to become an undisputed world champion, earning the titles at light heavyweight.
Despite their past, Beterbiev said he did not want to face Usyk in a professional rematch, with the two competing in different weight classes since their amateur days.
Oleksandr Usyk and Artur Beterbiev have competed three times as amateurs
The Olympic meeting between the Ukrainian and the Russian-Canadian was not their first at an amateur level.
Usyk and Beterbiev first crossed paths in 2007. Fighting in Russia, it was the future undisputed light heavyweight champion who won in his home country, via points.
Their second meeting would come four years later, in 2011. This time, fighting in Azerbaijan, Usyk would be the victor on points.