Tyson Fury’s ambition to avenge his only professional defeat dissolved amid disappointment as he faced Oleksandr Usyk once again, losing by unanimous decision at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The fight concluded with all three judges scoring the bout 116-112, marking Usyk's second consecutive victory over the Briton.
This rematch, taking place on December 21, 2024, was highly anticipated, especially after Usyk's narrow split-decision win earlier this year. Fury entered the ring with determination, hoping to reclaim the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles he lost to Usyk. Yet, it became clear early on how masterfully Usyk controlled the match, setting the pace and landing more significant strikes throughout the twelve rounds.
Usyk evidenced his boxing prowess, landing 179 punches compared to Fury's 144. Despite throwing significantly more punches—509 to Usyk's 423—Fury only achieved a 28% connection rate against Usyk's impressive 42%. This efficiency played heavily in the final result.
After the decision was announced, Fury stormed out of the ring, visibly enraged. He labeled the outcome as “an early Christmas gift” from the judges to Usyk, adding, “I feel like I won both fights.” Fury’s promoter, Frank Warren, who was equally incredulous, described the decision as “nuts” and demonstrated confusion over how the judges had scored the fight.
Both fighters displayed their battle scars at the match's conclusion, as Usyk fell to his knees in prayer, showcasing reverence for his hard-fought victory. Despite landing fewer punches, Fury's strategic attempts seemed to falter against Usyk's more accurate and effective fighting style.
“It’s not easy being the king among giants, but Usyk has found his way,” remarked sports analysts, emphasizing the champion's ability to navigate the fierce competition of heavyweight boxing.
After the bout, Usyk expressed gratitude and dedication, saying, “Thank God for my victory. Maybe my good preparation and the support from my family helped me today.” Usyk intends to defend his titles against the IBF champion, Daniel Dubois, who confronted him immediately after the fight, declaring, “I want my revenge for the robbery last time. Let’s make it happen!”
Conor McGregor, the notable UFC fighter, also chimed in on the significant matchup, praising both competitors through social media. His now-deleted post commended Usyk's toughness and perceived skill, proclaiming, “Anyone else against this version of Tyson Fury gets smoked.”
The bout was not without its controversies, particularly surrounding the official scoring. The inclusion of an AI-powered judge, which recorded the fight at 118-112 for Usyk, ignited debates among fans and analysts. This technology aimed to reduce human error and improve scoring accuracy, yet some critics likened it to the contentious VAR system used in soccer.
Tyson Fury dismissed the AI judge's credibility, emphasizing his preference for traditional human judging. “I felt I was on the front foot all night, but these things happen. Not much I can do about it now,” he remarked resignedly outside the ring.
Anthony Joshua, watching from ringside and scoring the fight for DAZN, recorded it as 115-114 for Usyk, establishing him as somewhat more favorable toward Fury's performance compared to the official judges’ views. Many fans expressed skepticism about Joshua's assessment, viewing it as overly generous.
Despite the unclear scoring and furious reactions, Usyk's victory solidified his status not only as the reigning champion of the heavyweight division but also as one of the sport's all-time greats. “He is not just great for this generation, but for all time,” acclaimed former champion Lennox Lewis, echoing the sentiments of many boxing enthusiasts.
With the rivalry seemingly settled for now, eyes are turned toward Usyk's next potential matchup against Dubois. Meanwhile, Fury’s future remains uncertain as he contemplates his career direction after two consecutive losses to the same opponent.
This rematch demonstrated the shifting dynamics of the heavyweight division, with Usyk firmly establishing himself as the undisputed champion following this decisive victory. Boxing analysts speculate on how this will impact future matchups and the paths of both fighters.
Fans around the globe eagerly await what’s next for these two heavyweights, but for now, it is clear: Oleksandr Usyk reigns supreme as the heavyweight king.
