In the rarefied air of professional boxing, where legends are forged and legacies cemented, Oleksandr Usyk stands as a titan. An Olympic gold medalist, an undisputed champion in two divisions, and with an unblemished professional record, his accolades alone could fill a museum. Yet, for a man who has seemingly achieved it all, the mantra echoing through his training camp remains stark: “Never enough.” It is this insatiable drive that propels him forward, even as he prepares for another monumental undisputed heavyweight clash against Daniel Dubois in London.
The Spartan Sanctuary: Where Greatness Is Forged
Far from the opulent training facilities one might expect for a champion of Usyk`s stature, his current base in Gandia, a serene town on Spain`s east coast, offers a curious blend of utilitarianism and deep personal symbolism. This isn`t a purpose-built complex; it`s a meticulously repurposed old rental car shop. Upstairs, the essentials: a boxing ring, a couple of heavy bags, a selection of weights, and an assault bike. Downstairs, a space for relaxation, complete with television screens and a PlayStation—a champion’s modest indulgence.
But it`s the personal touches that transform this otherwise unassuming structure into a crucible of champions. Ukrainian flags adorn the walls, a poignant reminder of his homeland and the weight of a nation`s hopes. A poster of a Spartan warrior serves as a silent testament to the mental fortitude required. One concrete wall, a canvas for ambition, bears the spray-painted image of a cat—Usyk’s playful nickname. Bold marker pens chronicle past triumphs: “Moskow 2018,” “Saudi 2024,” marking his previous undisputed reigns. And above it all, a prophetic declaration for the upcoming bout: “London 2025.” More than mere graffiti, these are affirmations, a vivid manifestation of future glory.
Another wall, painted in the vibrant blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, glows with a massive neon sign: “UNDISPUTED.” It`s a constant, luminous beacon of his ultimate objective. This isn`t just a gym; it`s a psychological fortress, every element calibrated to reinforce the singular focus of the man within. Screens perpetually replay footage of Usyk`s previous encounter with Dubois—a knockout victory in 2023—alongside analyses of Dubois`s past performances. Every corner of the old shop serves one purpose: the systematic dissection and conquest of the task at hand.
The Daily Grind: A Symphony of Discipline
Usyk`s regimen is a testament to the fact that talent, without relentless discipline, remains unfulfilled potential. His days begin at an unforgiving 6 AM, typically comprising two or three distinct training sessions tailored to holistic physical and mental conditioning. His schedule is a mosaic of varied disciplines: grueling runs, invigorating swims, focused cycling, precision tennis drills, rigorous mental training, and sophisticated cognitive tests, all interspersed with the brutal honesty of sparring sessions.
What might be considered a “lighter” session for Usyk and his compatriot, light heavyweight prospect Daniel Lapin, appears to mere mortals as an explosive display of athleticism. A seamless, high-tempo circuit flows from skipping with a metronomic rhythm, broken only by fluid shadow-boxing and the occasional dance move to Ukrainian techno. This transitions into assault bike sprints that demand lung-searing effort, followed by demanding weightlifting, kettlebell drills, and bodyweight routines. Perhaps the most intimidating is an exercise where Usyk performs sit-ups while propelling a giant medicine ball against a wall, a raw demonstration of core power.
“Every day I have moments during training when I just want to be on the beach with my wife, holding a bottle in my hand,” Usyk once admitted, a rare glimpse into the human struggle beneath the superhuman veneer. It`s a sentiment many can relate to, though few push their limits quite so far.
His strength and conditioning coach, Jakub Chycki, affectionately known as “the brains behind the brawn,” observes Usyk`s shifts in demeanor. When the champion, pushing beyond the pain threshold, exclaims, “Look, mum, I can fly!”—a phrase he sometimes directs at Lapin, sometimes to himself—Chycki recognizes it as a tell. “He`s tired, he`s just human,” Chycki explains, quickly adding, “Of course, [he`s] superhuman. I call him usually `Homosapien athleticus.` He is amazing. But now it`s a very hard time for him.”
Amidst this disciplined chaos, Usyk’s young sons, Mykhailo and Kyrylo, wander through the camp, a grounding presence. They shoot hoops or kick a soccer ball, their youthful energy a stark contrast to their father`s focused intensity. They watch their dad, perhaps not yet fully grasping the magnitude of his legendary status, simply seeing the man they accompany to work on a Saturday morning.
The session concludes with Usyk, chest glistening with sweat, gently kissing a crucifix adhered to his skin. “Today… Enough,” he states, the echo of his overarching motto immediately following: “But never enough.” His humility is striking; after training, he personally wipes down surfaces and meticulously packs away equipment, ensuring everything is ready for the next grueling session. He even wrings sweat from his shirt into a bucket and folds it neatly, a meticulousness that extends beyond the ring. Before leaving, a quiet bow to a prayer pinned to the weights rack, then off to the showers—a ritualistic end to another day in the relentless pursuit of perfection.
The Brains Behind the Brawn: Data-Driven Dominance
In Usyk’s camp, data reigns supreme. Jakub Chycki, a university professor in his own right, continuously harvests a torrent of information from each training session. From Usyk`s aerobic capacity to the subtle neurological responses during sparring, every metric is scrutinized. This relentless pursuit of empirical knowledge is a cornerstone of the “Ready to Fight” (RTF) team, co-founded by Usyk and his childhood friend, CEO Sergey Lapin.
RTF is more than just a promotional entity; it`s a data analytics powerhouse. Their mission extends to providing precise insights for fighters, from detailed breakdowns of opponents—fight records, punch statistics, fighting styles, physical attributes—to the optimal matching of sparring partners. The genesis of this venture, ironically, stemmed from the inconvenience of a sparring partner failing to show up one day. From such practical challenges, innovative solutions are often born, and Usyk and Lapin have grown RTF into a platform aspiring to impact all echelons of the sport.
“Our analytic department search for the different fights, they try to find weaknesses, strong sides, in order to collect the info to work on it and to give the team the proper analytics so they can see how they can impact the future fights,” explains Sergey Lapin, highlighting the strategic depth. When asked if data is Usyk`s not-so-secret weapon, Lapin’s reply is succinct and illustrative: “Yes of course. You have a car? This is good for you. You have a bicycle [as well], but a car is better. We have a very good car now.” This “very good car” is the meticulous, data-driven approach that provides Usyk with an analytical edge, transforming raw physical output into precise, targeted strategy.
Beyond the Ring: A Champion`s Future Vision
Even as Oleksandr Usyk prepares to etch another indelible chapter into boxing history, he candidly contemplates a life beyond the ropes. He admits his esteemed career is nearing its conclusion, a revelation that prompts him to reflect on his future endeavors. “Every day I think about my life,” he shares, “Every day I think about what I`ll do after my professional career ends. Every day I wonder what I`ll do… And I have some plans. I think I`ll play a bit of football.” A former keen footballer, the lure of the pitch remains strong, but the boxing ring, it seems, has carved a permanent place in his soul.
Usyk`s innate restlessness, a common trait among elite athletes, ensures he won`t be idle for long. The anecdote of him shadowboxing his wife just two weeks after his second victory over Fury, yearning to return to the gym, speaks volumes. His post-boxing vision includes nurturing the next generation of Ukrainian fighters, with a declared ambition to train a world champion one day. The expansion of RTF, his data-driven platform, also looms large in his future plans, providing a systematic approach to talent development.
For now, however, the focus remains singular: the formidable challenge of Daniel Dubois. Another opportunity to solidify his legacy, to manifest the “London 2025” prophecy not merely on a gym wall, but within the hallowed pages of sports history. The beach, with a bottle in hand, may call to him daily, a fleeting image of tranquil respite. But the “Never enough” ethos still reigns supreme. Oleksandr Usyk isn`t done yet; he is still chasing more, still pushing the boundaries of what is possible, a true testament to the relentless spirit of a champion.
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow