Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk isn’t scheduled to return to the ring until August, but the undefeated fighter still found a way to make headlines this week, thanks to a fascinating career move.
Usyk, the reigning WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO world heavyweight champion, stunned boxing fans on Wednesday after it was announced the 36-year-old had agreed to terms on a one-year contract “on football cooperation” with Ukrainian Premier League team FC Polissya.
On Thursday, Polissya president Gennadiy Butkevych praised Usyk’s tenacity for choosing to join the world of soccer. The move marks a remarkable full circle moment for Usyk, who, according to ESPN, transitioned to boxing as a teenager after spending time training with Ukrainian football club Tavriya Simferopol.
