“The Year Of The Cat” with Usyk’s Feline Sublime

Tom Jones sang: “What’s New Pussycat” but this Big Cat isn’t a cuddly cutie, ready to curl up by the fireside! 

Oleksandr “Cat”  Usyk embossed another golden “claws/Clause”  and tale in boxing history,  by becoming, for the second time in his career, the undisputed heavyweight champion, by knocking out Daniel “Dynamite” Dubois in the fifth round.

The story is transforming from the fable of a bard into a legend and mystic myth.The cat’s whiskers!

Born on January 17, 1987, in Simferopol, Crimea, Usyk was a cool cat phenomenon from his amateur days. Between 2006 and 2013, he amassed 109 fights, with 88 wins, 19 of them by knockout. His opponents: “Were having kittens!” 

During this amateur career, Oleksandr Usyk assiduously learned his trade by defeating notable figures such as Badou Jack and maintained an intense rivalry with Artur Beterbiev, whom he faced four times and defeated twice, including once at the 2012 London Olympics.

In that edition, Usyk also overcame Italian Clemente Russo in the final to claim the gold medal in the 91 kg category. Four years earlier, in Beijing 2008, Russo had eliminated him in the quarterfinals. An improving work in progress.

Usyk made his professional debut on November 9, 2013, in Kyiv, knocking out Mexican Felipe Romero. Ten fights later, he was already the cruiserweight world champion, and in 2018 he won the WBC title against Mairis Briedis, consecrating  himself shortly thereafter as the undisputed cruiserweight champion by defeating Murat Gassiev.

Having achieved his primary goal, the Ukrainian Marvel moved up to heavyweight, where he defeated Anthony Joshua twice and later Daniel Dubois, collecting the division’s belts.

The pinnacle moment came in March 2024, when he faced WBC champion Tyson Fury for the total unification of the titles. In a memorable war, Usyk nearly knocked Fury out and ultimately won by split decision. The rematch in December was even clearer: a unanimous decision victory for Usyk and Fury’s retirement.

With his recent second victory over Dubois, Usyk once again confirmed himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion and one of the greatest heavyweights in history. Cat on a hot tin roof? No…the cat that got the cream!