Oleksandr Usyk confirmed his status as the dominant heavyweight boxer by defeating Tyson Fury for the second time, retaining his WBO, WBC, and WBA heavyweight titles with all three judges scoring the fight 116-112. The rematch, held on December 23, 2024, at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena, sparked considerable debate over the scoring methods employed.
This fight was particularly important for Fury, who had previously suffered his first career loss to Usyk earlier this year. The British boxer, filled with ambition to reclaim his titles, instead faced the harsh reality of defeat once again. "I swear to God, I thought I won it by at least three rounds," Fury stated immediately after the match, expressing disbelief at the judges’ scorecards. He claimed he felt as though the judges gifted Usyk the win, jokingly mentioning he experienced "a little Christmas spirit" during the bout.
Despite Fury's claims of superiority, the judges' verdicts were unanimous, confirming Usyk's victory. Fury's promoter, Frank Warren, also challenged the scoring, questioning how Fury could only have been awarded four rounds. "It's nuts. I don't get it. I'm really disappointed with this," Warren commented, adding to the atmosphere of controversy surrounding the fight.
Before the main event, tension filled the arena, partly due to the inclusion of an AI judge's scorecard, which delivered even more shocking results, indicating Usyk won by 118-112. Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Boxing chief, remarked, "I counted Usyk had four rounds more... Usyk is one of the greatest boxers of this generation." His view echoes the sentiment of many observers who believed Usyk executed his strategy effectively against Fury.
Afterward, the conversation turned to the role of AI in boxing. Fury expressed his disdain, saying, "F*** all the computers, keep the humans going. More jobs for humans, less jobs for computers." This sentiment was echoed by former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, who criticized AI’s lack of nuance and ability to understand the intricacies of boxing.
Usyk celebrated his victory, excitedly reflecting on the 12-round battle. “I win,” he simply stated, recognizing his opponent's skills by saying, "He's a great fighter, it was great 24 rounds in my career." Usyk's win has widened the horizon of potential matchups, raising questions about who he will face next.
One contender eager to challenge Usyk is Daniel Dubois, who expressed his thoughts directly at Usyk, saying, "I want my revenge." Dubois, recently victorious in his own fight, lays claim to being the top contender after his previous match with Usyk ended controversially.
Looking to the future, the next heavyweight fight is set to be Dubois’ IBF defense against Joseph Parker on February 22, 2025. A win for Dubois could set up yet another clash with Usyk, possibly revitalizing their rivalry. Compellingly, discussions have also arisen about Fury's future. At 36, he stands at a crossroads—whether to retire or pursue high-profile all-British bouts, particularly against long-time nemesis Anthony Joshua.
Boxing insiders speculate about the potential for Fury to step away from boxing permanently, with Anthony Crolla commenting on the podcast, “Usyk has achieved immortality,” hinting at the sealing of legacies as one might critique Usyk considering retirement after such monumental victories.
Fury’s profile remains significant, with boxing fans split on the question of his next move. Should he opt to fight Joshua, it would create a historic event—both competitors hold multiple titles and appeal to large followings. Speaking on this possible matchup, Michael Bisping cautioned against Fury contemplating retirement or diverting to MMA, stating, "Please, for God’s sake, don’t do it."
The heavyweight boxing scene is brimming with spirited conversations and predictions as fans await what’s next. The mixture of potential contenders along with the unresolved storyline of Fury adds excitement to future bouts.
Usyk, for his part, elevates his stature within the sport but also faces questions of retirement. His options may vary from pursuing other lightweight challenges to potentially stepping back down to cruiserweight, complicates the heavyweight hierarchy.
The boxing world eagerly awaits the outcomes of upcoming fights, nourished by the rich narratives spun from Usyk's historical victory, controversies surrounding judging, and the unpredictable futures of its top athletes.
