Oleksandr Usyk solidified his status as a generational great in heavyweight boxing, defeating Tyson Fury by unanimous decision in their highly anticipated rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This victory allowed Usyk to retain his unified WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles and marked Fury’s first official loss, following their previous split decision bout in May.
The fight, billed as “Usyk v Fury: Reignited,” lived up to expectations, showcasing the technical prowess of both boxers. While Fury, known for his showmanship, made a theatrical ring entrance dressed as Father Christmas, Usyk entered with a focused demeanor, reciting a prayer in his corner.
The early rounds saw Fury, with his significant height, reach, and weight advantages, attempting to control the distance. However, Usyk, as he did in their first encounter, effectively targeted Fury’s body with powerful left hooks. By the middle rounds, Usyk began to find his rhythm, landing clean shots and dictating the pace. While Fury rallied in the ninth, Usyk finished the fight strongly, landing a significant combination in the 11th round and appearing to have the edge in the final round. All three judges scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Usyk.
Usyk, an Olympic gold medalist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion, extended his undefeated professional record to 23 wins. Fury, visibly frustrated after the decision, claimed backstage that he believed he had won by “at least three rounds.” This marks Fury’s first official defeat, adding to his record of 34 wins and one draw.
Following the announcement, IBF world champion Daniel Dubois entered the ring, calling for a rematch with Usyk. Dubois previously lost to Usyk in a controversial fight where a punch that dropped Usyk was ruled a low blow. Usyk has also hinted at a potential return to the cruiserweight division.
The fight attracted a star-studded audience, including model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, actor Jason Statham, and boxing legends Roberto Duran, Lennox Lewis, and Prince Naseem Hamed. While Furyโs promoter, Frank Warren, expressed disappointment and believed Fury was in control, the outcome leaves Usyk with numerous options for his next move, while Fury’s future in the ring remains uncertain, with a potential all-British fight with Anthony Joshua being a possibility.
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