On December 21, 2024, the highly anticipated rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury took place at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Usyk successfully defending his heavyweight champion titles by unanimous decision. This victory not only solidified Usyk's standing as one of the top heavyweights today but also sparked controversy, particularly concerning the judging.
The bout concluded with all three judges scoring the match 116-112 in favor of Usyk, allowing him to retain the WBA, WBC, and WBO belts. An additional layer of intrigue was added by the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to assess the fight, which scored the bout even more decisively, 118-112, also for Usyk. Despite this technological endorsement, Fury was openly displeased with the result, arguing he should have been awarded the victory.
Fury, who has built his career on confidence and bravado, expressed his frustration immediately following the fight, stating, "I swear, I thought I won the fight by at least three rounds. I controlled the bout. I was winning it on my front foot," adding his disbelief at the judges awarding him only four rounds. His promoter, Frank Warren, echoed Fury's sentiments, labeling the judging as 'very disappointing' and could not comprehend how all three judges concluded Fury only won four rounds.
The first match between these two heavyweights occurred on May 20, 2024, where Usyk had initially pulled off a narrow split decision victory. That fight, having set the stage for this rematch, saw much speculation and excitement leading up to their second encounter. Where Usyk had previously beaten Fury by split decision — which raised questions among fans and critics alike — the rematch seemed to be yielding more clearer consensus as the judges and AI agreed on Usyk's prevailing performance.
Discussions around the bout’s judging were particularly intense, as AI was utilized to input numerical analysis on the performance during the fight. This was the first time AI was employed officially within professional boxing scoring, generating real-time data on factors like aggression, strike accuracy, impact force, and defense.
Reflecting on the fight, boxing analyst and former champion Anthony Joshua commented on the close nature of the rematch, stating he believed Usyk edged it with just the slightest of advantages. Analysing each round, Joshua noted how Fury seemed to take the early rounds before Usyk began to assert control later on, laying out his scorecard of 115-114 for Usyk.
For boxing fans across the globe, the sheer drama of this fight was enthralling. Not only did Usyk claim victory, but he garnered significant monetary rewards as well, with the fight reportedly being the most lucrative night of boxing for both competitors, amassing a prize fund estimated at $190 million. Usyk reportedly took home $114 million, which was about 60% of the total, whilst Fury had $76 million awarded to him.
Visibly, both boxers displayed great skill and determination as the fight unfolded. Fury showcased technical prowess and aggression, particularly through the middle rounds, which led many viewers to believe he might be on his way to securing the win. Nonetheless, as the match progressed, Usyk’s strategy and conditioning allowed him to reclaim stances and attain control.
Fury, for all his claims about having won, must recognize the increasing accuracy and precision of Usyk. Though strong arguments can be made for both fighters, the fact remains at least for the judges and the AI: Usyk’s ability to adapt and counteract his opponent's attacks was consistently displayed.
While Usyk's victory is significant, it also highlights the increasing discussions around the integrity of boxing judging, especially with the introduction of AI. The emotional fallout from this match will continue to pester Fury; he firmly believes he remains the rightful champion. The question now remains whether we will see these two incredibly talented fighters face off again.
Looking forward, the potential for future matchups looms. While Fury has expressed indignation at the results and possibly could explore requiring another bout, rumors circulate about Usyk facing fellow heavyweight Daniel Dubois, as the Ukrainian aims to reclaim the IBF belt, moments gained from his refusal to accept mandatory defenses.
This rematch, with its championship titles and newly embraced technology, has undoubtedly set new precedents within the boxing community, with much propagandized support and criticism looming from fans and analysts alike. This fight has undoubtedly transformed both Usyk’s career and the very fabric of boxing judging as we know it.
