Oleksandr Usyk almost quit boxing after his first loss, but Evander Holyfield’s story inspired his legendary career
Oleksandr Usyk is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers in the history of the sport. A future Hall of Famer, the Ukrainian fighter has achieved unparalleled success in both amateur and professional boxing. However, his legendary career almost ended before it began. After losing his first amateur fight, Usyk considered quitting the sport. A motivating story about Evander Holyfield, told by his father, gave him the inspiration to continue—and the rest is history.
Usyk’s Early Setback and Doubts About Boxing
Before becoming a global boxing icon, Oleksandr Usyk faced a humbling experience in his first amateur match: defeat. Speaking on The Ring Podcast, Usyk reflected on this early failure. “I lost my first fight. It felt bad,” he said. “I thought, ‘Wow, I am not a good boxer.'”
The defeat left Usyk questioning his future in the sport. Despite encouragement from his coach, he seriously considered walking away from boxing. However, his father offered words of reassurance and shared an inspiring story about Evander Holyfield, another fighter who lost his first amateur bout but went on to achieve greatness. Motivated by this tale, Usyk decided to give the sport one more chance.
The Turning Point: Victory and Confidence
Determined to prove himself, Usyk entered a local boxing competition in Crimea just two months after his loss. This time, he emerged victorious. “It wasn’t a big competition, but when I won, oh my God,” Usyk said. “I thought, ‘Yes, I can.'”
This small victory was a pivotal moment in Usyk’s career. He brought his medal home to his father, who celebrated the occasion by buying a cake—a rare treat in their household. “We did not often eat cake, but he got cake,” Usyk recalled. This triumph boosted his confidence and solidified his commitment to boxing.
From that point on, Usyk’s career took off. As an amateur, he won gold medals at the European Championship, World Championship, and the Olympic Games. In the professional arena, he became one of only three male fighters in the four-belt era to achieve undisputed champion status in two weight classes.
Parallels Between Usyk and Holyfield
The story of Evander Holyfield that inspired Usyk mirrors his own journey. Holyfield, too, faced early setbacks in his amateur boxing career, losing his first fight—and then his second—to a boy named Cecil Collins. After these back-to-back defeats, Holyfield quit boxing, but his mother insisted he return, saying, “I didn’t raise a quitter.” He eventually defeated Collins in their third encounter and continued his pursuit of greatness.
Both Holyfield and Usyk went on to become undisputed champions in the cruiserweight division before moving up to heavyweight. Their careers are marked by resilience, proving that early failures do not define a champion’s legacy.
Conclusion
Oleksandr Usyk’s rise from a disheartened amateur to a global boxing legend is a testament to the power of resilience and inspiration. The decision to continue after his first loss, fueled by the story of Evander Holyfield, changed his life and the course of boxing history.
Both Usyk and Holyfield demonstrate that setbacks are not the end—they are opportunities to learn and grow. Their journeys remind us that perseverance, belief in oneself, and the courage to try again are what truly define greatness. Whether in sports or in life, these stories inspire us to face challenges head-on and never give up.
