Oleksandr Usyk might make soccer debut versus Ukraine giants Shakhtar Donetsk

On May 20, 2024

Oleksandr Usyk could be about to make his professional football debut just days after being crowned the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

After recording a split decision victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night (May 18), Usyk may be ready to temporarily swap his boxing gloves for a pair of football boots on the final weekend of the Ukrainian Premier League season.

Last summer, Usyk signed a pro contract with top-flight side FC Polissya Zhytomyr but until now hasn’t made an appearance due to his boxing commitments and preparing to face the previously undefeated Fury in the first undisputed heavyweight clash since the turn of the millennium.

After the 37-year-old’s victory in Riyadh, and with one game left of the UPL season, Polissya’s vice president said: “Maybe we’ll still see him this season in a Polissya shirt. We’ve got Shakhtar in the final Matchday (next weekend)”.

But according to sports lawyer Ilya Skoropashkin, unless exceptional circumstances are made, Usyk won’t be able to feature under the current UPL competition regulations having not been named in the team’s squad list when the final registration period ended on March 12.

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However, there could be a potential loophole, with free agents able to be declared to play without an application, but only depending on the terms of Usyk’s existing or previous contract he signed with Polissya.

Given Shakhtar have already confirmed themselves as champions with one game left to play, the UPL could grant Usyk a place in the squad under his exceptional circumstances and his service to Ukraine both militarily and through his sporting achievements.

If Usyk were to make his professional bow on Saturday, then it wouldn’t be the first time that he’s appeared for the club having previously played a cameo role in the friendly game for Polissya back in 2022.