Oleksandr Usyk successfully defended his IBF, WBA, and WBC heavyweight championships with a unanimous decision win over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. All three judges scored the fight 116-112, solidifying Usyk's status at the pinnacle of heavyweight boxing. The unofficial A.I. judge even scored it wider for Usyk at 118-112, raising eyebrows among fans and analysts alike.
Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, serving as the unofficial judge for DAZN, was not present at the event but issued his score, slightly more competitive at 115-114 for Usyk. The boxing community has taken to social media platforms to share their interpretations of the match, with varying opinions on the scoring.
According to Sportsnet’s Aaron Bronsteter, it was refreshing to see universal agreement among all the official judges on the outcome, indicating no major discrepancies among their evaluations of the bout. Yet, it appears not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for the A.I. judge's scorecard, with Combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani weighing in, affirming the fight was scored tightly for Usyk but much more conservatively than the A.I. assessment.
Fury, who openly declared his displeasure with the outcome, believed he had won the fight by “at least three rounds.” This sentiment came during a brief conversation he had as he headed to his dressing room, indicating his disappointment notwithstanding his financial success throughout his career.
Indeed, as confirmed by multiple sources, the fight's importance for both boxers extends beyond just titles. Promoter Eddie Hearn also shared the sentiment, stating, "For the record, I scored the fight a draw, as did Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn. I wouldn’t classify the official decision as a robbery, but I felt Fury won the first three rounds. That start generated a lead which Usyk ate away at for most of the rest of the fight—in my opinion."
Fans eagerly await what’s next for Usyk following his latest victorious outing. It would appear he will face the winner of the upcoming heavyweight matchup between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, scheduled for February 22. Dubois, who was on-site during the title fight, made quite the entrance by crashing Usyk’s post-fight interview to declare his challenge and express his eagerness for another shot at Usyk. Dubois is the reigning IBF heavyweight champion and has racked up impressive stoppage wins over notable heavyweights such as Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic, and even Anthony Joshua, enhancing his credentials.
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury is left contemplating his next steps after this disappointing defeat. Despite adopting different strategies for this rematch, it proved insufficient against Usyk's skill and determination. Interestingly, the prospect of a monumental Fury-Joshua bout now seems more appealing than ever. With Joshua coming off of his own loss against Dubois, both boxers appear positioned to clash at Wembley Stadium during the summer of 2025—an event likened to the biggest paydays of their storied rivalry.
The aftermath of the Usyk vs. Fury match leaves both fighters with pivotal crossroads to navigate: Usyk eyeing future title defenses and potential rivals, and Fury contemplating his next move, possibly against Joshua. The whirlwind of post-fight discussions only adds to the intrigue and excitement surrounding the heavyweight division.
For Usyk, the path is clear, with eyes firmly set on defining his legacy against the next generation of heavyweight contenders, bolstered by his triumph over Fury. Fans of the sport will undoubtedly continue to engage, dissecting strategies, moves, and future possibilities within this ever-evolving narrative of heavyweight boxing.
