Oleksandr Usyk retained his heavyweight titles after delivering a stunning performance against Tyson Fury, winning by unanimous decision at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All three judges scored the fight 116-112, underscoring Usyk's control throughout the match. Fury's manager, Frank Warren, along with Fury himself, voiced strong disappointment over the judges' decision, calling it unjust.
The fight began with both boxers carefully feeling each other out, but it didn't take long for Usyk to start applying pressure. His quick left hand and strategic jabs demonstrated his boxing IQ and physical conditioning against the larger Fury, who weighed over 280 pounds for the bout. Despite the weight disparity, Usyk's agility and movement allowed him to evade many of Fury's powerful jabs.
By the fight's middle rounds, Usyk began to gain momentum, landing significant blows to Fury's body and head. He clearly outperformed Fury statistically, connecting on 179 of 423 punches compared to Fury's 144 of 509 attempts. The Ukrainians' increased effectiveness particularly helped him control the pace by the later rounds.
After the fight, Usyk made his feelings clear with just three words: "I win. I am not the judges, I don't score the fights, but I win - thank you, God." His victory marks not only the retention of his WBO, WBA, and WBC heavyweight titles but also solidifies his place among boxing's elite.
Fury, on the other hand, stormed out of the ring post-fight, refusing to participate in media duties. When asked about the judges’ decision, he stated, "The judges gave him a Christmas gift. I feel like I won both fights. I know I had to knock him out, but it's boxing and this happens. There is no doubt in my mind I won this fight." His sentiments were echoed by Warren, who expressed disbelief at the judges’ scoring, exclaiming, "I'm dumbfounded at how they [judges] scored it."
Despite the disagreement over the scoring, Usyk's output and tactical prowess throughout the fight were undeniable. He showcased his ability to adapt and thwart Fury’s efforts, earning him not just this victory but credibility across the boxing community.
Notably, the aftermath of the fight saw Daniel Dubois enter the ring demanding a rematch with Usyk. Dubois, who previously fought and lost to Usyk, made his intentions clear: “I want my revenge. Let it happen.” Usyk, unfazed by Dubois' demand, agreed to the rematch notion, responding, "Your Excellency, make me fight with Daniel Dubois, thank you so much. I am ready, the next fight. No problem." This indicates Usyk’s willingness not only to defend his titles but also to settle past scores.
With two consecutive wins over Fury and another against Joshua, Usyk has demonstrated his elite status and possible longevity within the heavyweight ranks. Commentators have already started listing Usyk as the greatest of this era, with opinions solidifying on his tactical superiority and fighting spirit.
This most recent bout has sparked chatter about the future of both fighters. While Usyk looks to continue his reign, Fury's next steps remain uncertain after experiencing back-to-back losses. Both fighters are now central figures to follow as boxing fans eagerly anticipate their next moves. Fury, particularly, will need to re-evaluate and possibly revamp his approach if he seeks to reclaim his titles. Meanwhile, Usyk appears set to build upon this triumph to solidify his legacy within the sport.
