In a refreshing display of honesty that’s rare among elite athletes, heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk revealed he sports a counterfeit Rolex, despite recently earning an $86 million purse from his victory over Tyson Fury.
The Ukrainian boxing star made the candid admission during a street interview with United44, where he proudly showed off his timepiece to the camera before revealing its true nature.
“I was boasting a little and showed the cameraman my watch,” Usyk said with a laugh. “It’s a Chinese Rolex.”
The champion went on to share the story behind his acquisition: “I was in Turkey for training and saw guys selling Rolexes on the beach. I thought if I bought one, no one would guess that it was a fake. So I bought it for $100.”
The Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR, commonly referred to as the “Sprite” due to its striking green and black bezel, is a standout timepiece that blends functionality with iconic design. Crafted from Oystersteel, this watch features a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a Cerachrom insert in green and black ceramic, enabling the wearer to track two time zones simultaneously. Its unique left-handed configuration, including the crown and date window, caters to a distinct audience while maintaining Rolex’s reputation for precision and durability. Powered by the caliber 3285 movement, it offers a robust 70-hour power reserve. The estimated price for an original Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR is approximately $16,000 to $20,000 USD, though it can command a premium on the secondary market due to its rarity and demand.
The revelation comes as particularly amusing given that no one had questioned the authenticity of the watch, considering Usyk’s substantial career earnings. His recent victory over Fury alone netted him $86 million, according to Ukrainian outlet Pravda, while Fury received approximately $70 million. Both fighters are set to earn even more through pay-per-view revenue from broadcasts on DAZN PPV, Sky Sports Box Office, and TNT Sports Box Office.
The timing of Usyk’s admission could be seen as a playful jab at Fury, who is well-known for his collection of expensive custom timepieces from luxury brands like Jacob & Co. and Rolex.
Usyk’s victory by unanimous decision helped him maintain his perfect professional record of 23-0 while retaining his undisputed heavyweight titles.
