Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois are gearing up to step into the ring for what’s poised to be a historic rematch, destined to make the day a legendary chapter in boxing history! On one hand, ‘Triple D’ holds the IBF heavyweight title, and on the other, ‘The Cat’ guards his WBA, WBO, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles.
The night at Wembley may produce the first English undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999. Plus, the excitement that has carried over from the first fight has made things even more interesting. However, amid all the excitement, fans seem to have some questions about Usyk’s nationality, ethnicity, and religion. And more importantly, the languages Oleksandr Usyk can speak. So, without any further ado, here’s all one needs to know!
Is Oleksandr Usyk Ukrainian? Ethnicity and nationality
The former two-division undisputed champion was born on January 17, 1987, in Simferopol, Crimean Oblast, which was part of the Ukrainian SSR in the former Soviet Union. His parents, Oleksandr Anatoliyovych Usyk and Nadiya Petrovna Usyk, were originally from northern Ukraine, giving Usyk a Slavic ethnic background and a strong Ukrainian identity. The 38-year-old also competed in the Olympics, representing his country, further cementing his Ukrainian nationality. And if you are curious, he won gold in the 2012 Olympics.
Languages that Oleksandr Usyk speaks
Given his background, it’s no surprise that Usyk speaks Ukrainian—a Slavic language that shares its roots with Russian in Old East Slavic. Both languages use the Cyrillic alphabet, although each features some unique letters. Like many Ukrainians, Usyk is also fluent in Russian, which is widely understood and spoken throughout the country.
Usyk’s language game doesn’t stop with just Ukrainian and Russian! When this former Olympic gold medalist burst onto the professional boxing scene, his English was pretty rough, but man, his skills in the ring were top-notch. Over the years, though, just like his boxing chops, his English has really leveled up.
With his current residence and past training camps in Oxnard, California, the champion is getting better at his English-speaking skills. Sure, he still needs a translator every now and then, but he’s been busting out English in interviews, showing he can tackle any challenge, whether it’s a tough opponent or a tough language barrier.
All about Oleksandr Usyk’s religion
Alright, it’s no secret how much ‘The Cat’ is all about his country, right? He’s as passionate about it as he is about boxing! But hey, when it comes to his religion, it’s been a bit of a mystery. Not for long, though! It is now known that Usyk is a devout Orthodox Christian. Seems like some folks did some digging in Ukraine and bingo!
In fact, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted a survey in the country back in 2022 to determine the religious practices in the country. They found that nearly 85% of the population identify and practice Christianity, with Eastern Orthodox Christianity being the most dominant religion in the country.
So, that explains his practice of orthodox Christianity. Not to mention, after defeating Tyson Fury, Usyk was seen kissing a Crucifix as a spiritual gesture.
Usyk’s linguistic journey mirrors the vibrant tapestry of his homeland’s history and culture, while also reflecting the challenges that push him to embrace a new language. And through it all, he’s stayed true to his roots, never forgetting the land and the faith that shaped him. But hey, if there’s any other language in Usyk’s arsenal that we haven’t mentioned, let us know in the comments below!
The post Where Is Oleksandr Usyk From? Ethnicity, Languages & Religion appeared first on EssentiallySports.
