Famous Ukrainian boxer, European, world, and Olympic champion Oleksandr Usyk signed a contract with the Klitschko brothers’ promotion company “K2 Promotions” on September 25. In fact, this step means the boxer has officially turned professional, breaking with amateur sport. The company’s director-general Oleksandr Krasiuk and a reigning world professional boxing champion Vitali Klitschko attended the signing ceremony.
“We have long known and liked Usyk. He has won everything in amateur boxing and has now decided to turn professional. We appreciate his choice and believe that he will not be disappointed with our company,” Klitschko said during the ceremony. “He has a long way ahead of him in professional boxing, and we hope to see him in title fights in time.”
“Following the Olympics, Usyk deliberated on further course of action for a long time. His first inclination was to stay amateur and prepare for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Then, after a series of consultations in America, he decided to turn professional after all. It is his right and his choice,” head trainer of Ukraine’s national boxing team Dmytro Sosnovsky told The Day. “He is really a very talented guy who has achieved everything he wanted in amateur boxing. He needs to progress further. Probably, his decision is the right one. I will say one thing: if Usyk gets a talented trainer, they will mold him into a great boxer. Why did he opt for the Klitschko brothers’ company? I think he did it because it will preserve his right to box for Ukraine and allow him to spend more time in his native country.”
According to UNIAN, Usyk’s first professional fight will take place on November 9, 2013. His promoters are now determining the fight’s venue and the name of his opponent.
