Oleksandr Usyk achieved his remarkable body transformation with unique cardio sessions, eating SEVEN-POUND bowls of Ukrainian dishes and training so hard he fainted… underwater!
Oleksandr Usyk will enter the ring for the third time as unified heavyweight champion when he takes on Daniel Dubois in Poland on Saturday night.
It will be the 36-year-old’s fifth bout in the division after making a name for himself – and winning his first world title – at cruiserweight.
As such, the Ukrainian had to undergo a significant transformation when he made the switch in 2019 ahead of his heavyweight debut against Chazz Witherspoon.
Intense strength and conditioning sessions, unusual cardio techniques and giant plates of food. Usyk employed a series of strategies to create the body that made him world champion in two weight divisions – and undisputed in one.
Ahead of his next big fight, we take a look at the virtually flawless southpaw and his trailblazing ways.
Oleksandr Usyk has undergone a huge transformation after becoming a heavyweight boxer
Usyk was formerly a cruiserweight before making a successful move up to the heavyweight division
Usyk has reached the pinnacle of the sport with hard work and a remarkable training regiment
Course
Usyk is known to employ a unique and varied training regimen that utilizes a mix of techniques that have enabled him to excel in the sport.
He focuses on strength and conditioning to build, especially since moving up to the heavyweight division, but has also taken note of his love of CrossFit exercise.
A key to his in-ring stamina is his extensive cardiovascular regiment, which includes running, jumping, swimming, rowing, ladder drills, and heavy bags.
The exercises not only improve his stamina during fights, but also help build specific muscles, especially in his lower body, enabling him to maintain high intensity during prolonged clashes.
Three of the four heavyweight fights he has competed in have gone the full twelve rounds and showcased his remarkable level of fitness.
As valuable as cardio is to a boxer, strength and conditioning give a fighter the power needed to terrify the opponent.
Usyk has some of the most versatile workouts focused on building strength while maintaining his range of motion and reflexes.
The southpaw incorporates a range of activities into his cardio program, including swimming
Kettlebell training, which originated in Eastern Europe, is an important part of his preparation for a fight. The champion is seen routinely doing the exercises that help condition and strengthen his entire body.
Usyk often credits Anatoly Lomachenko, Vasyl Lomachenko’s father, for making him the fighter he is today. However, he is in a more unofficial capacity and has not been in his corner for over three years.
He trained under James Ali Bashir, one of the former coaches of the Klitschko brothers, but is currently with Yuiy Tkachenko.
Ahead of Usyk’s second win over Anthony Joshua last year, his manager Egis Klimas revealed that he watched the United champion swim 10km non-stop during his preparations. After hearing about the Ukrainian’s intensive training, AJ tried the challenge himself.
Klimas also said his fighter could hold his breath underwater for an almost alarming four minutes and forty seconds. Usyk previously revealed that he passed out while trying to expand his lung capacity in the midst of some nautical combinations.
“You know I’m a little crazy and that’s why my coaches keep a close eye on me. If I faint, they will save me.
“Once, while holding my breath underwater, I fainted for a moment and was immediately taken out of the pool.”
The 36-year-old still has room in his schedule for traditional strength and conditioning exercises
At six feet tall, Usyk needs high-calorie meals to fuel his physically demanding workouts
Eating pattern
Information on the heavyweight champion’s specific diet plans is sparse, but if the images of his dinners on social media are to be believed, it’s reasonable to assume that he consumes a lot of food.
At six feet tall, high-calorie meals are probably essential for him as fuel for the physically demanding workouts he undertakes.
An image posted to Instagram shows Usyk trying to eat his way through a giant plate of food, including rice, veggies, and a healthy serving of protein.
Transformation
The boxer’s seamless transition to heavyweight has been aided in part by his stellar training regimen and dedication to his profession.
Nevertheless, the steady and deliberate way in which he has put on weight fight after fight is to be commended and has played a vital role in his ability to excel in the bigger division.
Usyk was much slimmer in his last cruiserweight fight against Tony Bellew (right)
The Ukrainian has grown in each of his heavyweight fights in recent years
Daniel Dubois will be one of the tallest and toughest opponents Usyk has faced, despite being slightly shorter and lighter than Anthony Joshua
Usyk’s last cruiserweight fight took place against Tony Bellew in 2018 and featured a relatively slimmer fighter weighing in at 199 pounds.
A year later, when he made his first foray into the heavyweight class, he had raised that to 215 pounds. Before the fight against Derek Chisora, he weighed 217 pounds.
In Anthony Joshua, Usyk took on the toughest opponent she’d faced since Witherspoon in his professional heavyweight debut, with the Brit weighing in at 240 and 244 pounds in their two fights.
Still, at his heaviest point of 221 pounds, Usyk was more than able to withstand Joshua’s heavy blows and maintain the hand speed that allowed him to dominate the cruiserweight division.