Tyson Fury faced off against Oleksandr Usyk once again on December 21 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, seeking redemption after his previous loss. This highly anticipated rematch saw Usyk retaining his heavyweight crowns with an impressive unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in favor of the Ukrainian champion.
From the onset, it was clear this fight would not be without drama. Fury, known for his charismatic and sometimes controversial personality, stormed out of the ring immediately after the announcement, refusing to engage with the media, much to the dismay of his promoter, Frank Warren. Throughout the match, Fury expressed frustration over the judges' scoring, claiming he believed he had won. “I thought I won both fights, but I’m going home with two losses on my record. There’s not much I can do about it,” Fury said, emphasizing, “I will believe till the day I die, I won.”
Usyk’s victory was underscored by his tactical acuity and superior ring performance. Despite Fury's assertions, statistics from the fight revealed otherwise; Usyk landed 42.3 percent of his total punches compared to Fury's 28.3 percent. These statistics clearly contradicted Fury's belief about his performance, illustrating the definitive nature of Usyk's win.
After the fight, Usyk, who prefers to let his actions speak louder than words, briefly addressed the crowd and media. “I win. I am not the judges; I don’t score the fights, but I win - thank you, God,” he proclaimed. The champion then credited his hard work and the support of his family for his success, adding, “Maybe I prepare and work hard? My wife helps me.”
Fury's post-fight commentary reflected not only his disappointment but also offered some sharp-tongued remarks when responding to questions about Usyk's potential inspiration from his war-torn homeland. Fury replied with sarcasm, stating, “I didn’t feel no spirit. I felt a bit of Christmas spirit and think he got a Christmas gift from those judges.”
The immediate aftermath of the match also included Daniel Dubois, who, after fighting the previous match, entered the ring to challenge Usyk for another bout. Dubois expressed his intentions decisively, stating, “I want my revenge for last time. Let’s go.” Usyk responded affirmatively, confirming, “Your Excellency, make me fight with Daniel Dubois, thank you so much.”
Another interesting story from the event involved pre-fight controversies, including Fury's much-debated beard. Usyk’s camp had lodged complaints about the length of Fury's beard, claiming it might cushion blows and violate boxing guidelines. Despite their protests, the Saudi Arabian authorities permitted Fury to keep his beard.
During the fight's buildup, there was no shortage of personal commentary from boxing experts and former fighters about the impending matchup. Carl Froch speculated about Fury's stamina and ability to maintain long bouts, stressing the significance of weight structure in the fight. Observers expected Fury, weighing 281 pounds, to aggressively pursue Usyk, hoping to impose his considerable size advantage.
Despite the loss, the events surrounding the Fury vs. Usyk rematch left fans contemplating the future of heavyweight boxing. Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, shared insights about potential unification fights, hinting at possible matchups with Dubois, who claimed the interim IBF title. “The winner of Fury and Usyk’s rematch could have the opportunity to battle Dubois,” he remarked, emphasizing the excitement surrounding unifying fights within the heavyweight division.
Boxing fans worldwide are left to ponder the next chapter after this stunning rematch, where Usyk solidified his dominance over one of the sport's biggest names. With Dubois eager for revenge and potential future matchups looming, the heavyweight division is brimming with possibilities. One thing remains certain: the rivalry between Usyk and Fury continues to captivate audiences and stir discussions about boxing’s elite.
The echoes of Fury’s departure and Usyk’s celebration will undoubtedly resonate as fans look forward to future contests within the prestigious heavyweight class.
