Spain’s Gandia – Oleksandr Usyk, a renowned figure in Ukrainian boxing, has achieved everything from championship belts to Olympic gold medals across two divisions, all without dispute. Despite his immense success and national hero status, Usyk lives by the motto “Never enough,” constantly striving for more.
In the serene town of Gandia on Spain’s east coast, Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) prepares for another significant fight against IBF champion Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) on July 19 at London’s Wembley Stadium. His training camp has been set up in a modest, repurposed car rental shop, equipped with essential gym facilities and personalized touches like a Ukrainian flag, motivational posters, and messages from his team celebrating past victories in Moscow 2018 and Saudi 2024, with “London 2025” symbolizing the upcoming challenge.
The training base also features a neon sign reading “undisputed” and a screen that continuously plays highlights of Usyk’s previous fights, including his knockout victory over Dubois in 2023. Downstairs is a relaxed space where the team coordinates logistics and media while watching fight replays. Usyk’s two sons, Mykhailo and Kyrylo, keep themselves entertained nearby, unaware yet of the full magnitude of their father’s boxing legacy.
Usyk and fellow Ukrainian light heavyweight Daniel Lapin undergo intensive training sessions starting early mornings, incorporating varied routines such as running, swimming, cycling, tennis, mental exercises, and explosive gym workouts. Sparring is a major part of the regimen, occupying around 60% of training time. Despite the grueling demands, Usyk remains dedicated and humble, tending to small details post-training and ending sessions with quiet reflection and prayer.
Behind the scenes, Usyk’s team, including strength coach Jakub Chycki, known as the “Brains Behind,” collects detailed data on physical performance and sparring to fine-tune preparations. The “Ready To Fight” team, co-founded by Usyk and his childhood friend CEO Sergey Lapin, uses analytics to identify opponents’ strengths and weaknesses, turning data into a strategic advantage. Their goal is to expand this approach beyond Usyk’s fights to influence the wider boxing world.
Post-career, Usyk hopes to develop this analytics platform further and is already thinking about life beyond boxing, including playing football and training future Ukrainian champions. Presently, he focuses on the looming rematch with Dubois, aiming to add another unchallenged victory to his storied career. Even during moments of relaxation, Usyk’s resolve to keep pushing forward remains clear—never satisfied, always striving.
Fan Take: For fight fans, Usyk’s journey embodies relentless dedication and strategic innovation, reminding us that greatness comes from both heart and science. His ongoing battles and data-driven approach could reshape how athletes prepare, setting a new standard in boxing and inspiring the sport’s next generation.
