You're reading: Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk wins WBO title

Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk who turned professional in late 2013 claimed the WBO Cruiserweight champion belt in just his 10th professional fight.

The fight took place on Sept. 17 in Polish city Gdansk. Usyk outpointed previously unbeaten Polish boxer Krzysztof Glowacki in a 12-round unanimous decision. Scores were 119:109, 117:111, 117:111.

The Ukrainian boxer also broke the record of the legendary boxer Evander Holyfield, who won his first world title in his 12th professional fight.

Usyk dominated from the very start of the fight, making it evident that he was too fast on his feet for Glowacki. In the final round the Polish boxer tried to take a plunge and attacked Usyk, which was met by an immediate counter-attack from the Ukrainian.

“I’m not surprised by this victory – I was prepared for it,” Usyk said at a press conference after the fight.

Usyk said that the most difficult part for him was following the instructions given during the training sessions instead of getting into a brawl that Krzysztof wanted to have.

“Although, at some times I did want to just slug it out,” Usyk said.

Talking about his emotions, the boxer said he feels “calm and content.”

“Yesterday I spoke with my daughter and she said: ‘Come on, daddy, I will watch you [on TV] and you will come back home as a champion’,” Usyk shared.

The boxer said he didn’t have any clear plans for his professional future.

“I just want to go home, see my children and my mother,” he said.

Usyk was born in Simferopol, Crimea and became widely known after capturing a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. The video of the celebratory Ukrainian gopak dance performed by Usyk after victory immediately went viral.

His patriotic actions and interviews, along with his signature Cossack hairstyle worn during and after the Olympics quickly won the hearts of many Ukrainians.

In April Usyk said to Ukrainian media outlet Obozrevatel that he wants his wife and three children to move from the Russian-occupied Crimea to Kyiv, but the boxer still loves Crimea and calls it his home.

Still, Usyk got himself in trouble when at July 7 press conference he got asked whether he considered Crimea to be a part of Ukraine or Russia.

“Crimea is Crimea,” Usyk answered, upsetting many of his Ukrainian supporters.