Tyson Fury faced disappointment once again as Oleksandr Usyk dominated their rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, capturing victory by unanimous decision. This marked Usyk's second consecutive win over the British heavyweight, leaving many fans and analysts surprised by the outcome.
Fury stepped onto the scales at a hefty 281lbs, significantly heavier than Usyk, who weighed in at 226lbs. Interestingly, Fury was also 19lbs heavier than his weight for their first encounter, which ended with Usyk narrowly winning by split decision. This hefty increase raised eyebrows and prompted boxing pundit Carl Frampton to change his earlier prediction, expressing concerns about Fury's shape leading up to the fight.
Frampton noted, “I don't like it. I mean, to the point where I think I am going to change my prediction. If Fury doesn’t win inside the first three rounds, in this shape, I don't think he can win the fight.” His sentiments echoed those of other analysts, who highlighted the potential issues stemming from Fury's additional weight. TNT Sports analyst Steve Bunce remarked, “Look at Fury! It almost doesn’t look real. When you put on weight and get bigger, to push someone around, you try and put it on all over. Nobody has ever been knocked out or pushed back by a belly.” The skepticism surrounding Fury's physical condition intensified as the match approached.
The fight itself played out predominantly under Usyk's control. Judges Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley, and Ignacio Robles scored the match 116-112, indicating Usyk’s clear advantage throughout the rounds. Frampton, who initially believed Fury to be the stronger fighter, later assessed the action and noted, “Fury held the ring; Usyk had to up his game, and he did.” This comment reflected the notion of Usyk having to build on Fury’s performance to secure the win.
Immediately following the fight, as Usyk celebrated his win, Daniel Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight titleholder, interrupted the post-fight interview, demanding revenge against Usyk after previously losing to him. Usyk welcomed the challenge, stating, “His Excellency (Turki Alalshikh), please make me fight with Daniel Dubois. Thank you.” This unsolicited maneuver didn't sit well with Fury, who was visibly displeased and left the ring shortly after Dubois’s interruption, believing it was disrespectful.
Fury’s departure compounded the negative impressions surrounding the match. The fans had expected him to offer remarks about his performance; instead, he left without addressing them. Frampton remarked on Dubois's behavior as 'disrespectful,' emphasizing how Dubois’s actions overshadowed Fury’s anticipated post-fight speech.
Reflecting on the fight, Frampton shared his scoring, describing it as problematic due to the judges’ assessments. “I scored it myself a draw, so I think if you score it either way by a round, to Fury or Usyk, you can’t really complain,” he stated. Yet, he challenged the judges' decision to only give Fury one round from the last six, commenting, “To give him only four rounds seems very unfair to me.”
This rematch not only brought another title defense for Usyk but also solidified his position as one of the premier fighters of his generation. Frampton praised Usyk’s overall abilities, saying, “He is now doing what he does, away from home, and hostile territory. The guy is an absolute great… not just this generation, he is a great.”
The reactions and analyses provided by Frampton and Bunce highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Fury's future. With his recent loss, questions loom about his next steps. Will Fury narrow his training focus and regain his winning form? Or is this the last we’ll see of the Gypsy King at the top of the sport? Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as new narratives develop following this significant bout.
For now, Oleksandr Usyk remains undefeated and the undisputed champion, leaving fans eager to see how the heavyweight division will shake out moving forward.
