Olympic Gold Medalist Oleksandr Khyzhniak to Fight on Joshua Undercard

Oleksandr Khyzhniak's Next Bout

According to Главком: Oleksandr Khyzhniak will step into the ring for his second professional fight on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's bout, scheduled for July 25 in Riyadh. The Paris 2024 Olympic champion currently holds a 1-0 record, with that lone victory coming by knockout. His opponent has not yet been named. Khyzhniak is finishing his training camp at the Olympic base in Koncha-Zaspa, preparing for what promises to be a major career test under the global spotlight.

The Ukrainian made his professional debut in 2026, knocking out Colombia's William Baron in the first round during a Rising Stars by Usyk 17 Promotions event. He also boasts a strong amateur background, having claimed gold at the 2025 Belgrade Winner Tournament in Serbia.

State of Ukrainian Boxing

Meanwhile, fellow Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk holds onto the No. 2 spot in The Ring magazine's pound-for-pound rankings. The top position remains with Naoya Inoue, the undisputed world champion in the junior featherweight division. Usyk recently announced he would vacate all his championship titles.

The decision followed his May 23 victory over Rico Verhoeven at a boxing event in Egypt-his 25th professional win. Usyk called it 'the last dance.'

Khyzhniak's upcoming fight on the Joshua undercard marks a pivotal moment in his young career, offering him a chance to showcase his skills on a massive stage. At the same time, Usyk's move to relinquish his titles may signal a shift toward new challenges or retirement, a development that will resonate throughout Ukrainian boxing.

The trajectories of both fighters highlight the dynamic growth of Ukrainian boxing on the international scene.

As Khyzhniak prepares for his significant fight, the current state of Ukrainian boxing is also in the spotlight. Notably, Usyk's recent decision to vacate his titles has stirred discussions about the future of the sport in Ukraine, potentially opening doors for rising stars like Khyzhniak to establish themselves on the global stage.