Alexander Usyk triumphed over Tyson Fury for the second consecutive time, solidifying his position as the undisputed heavyweight champion. The rematch, which took place on December 22, 2023, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featured Usyk winning by unanimous decision, with all judges scoring the bout 116-112.
The victory marked Usyk's second win against Fury this year, after he also beat the British fighter back in May. While boxing fans celebrated Usyk's triumph, not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for his status within the sport.
Former world champion Timothy Bradley, known for his outspoken views, voiced skepticism about the claims surrounding Usyk being the greatest boxer of all time. On his YouTube channel, Bradley stated, "I’m not even going to talk about the fight, but about all the garbage about him being the greatest boxer of all time. The greatest fighter of all time? You must be joking!" He elaborated by saying, "Listen, just because he has beaten two of the top heavyweights of this era doesn’t make him the greatest boxer of all time.”
Bradley pointed out Usyk’s relatively low number of professional fights, arguing, "Twenty-two fights is too few to be crowned the greatest. A greater number of fights is necessary to solidify such claims.”
Conversely, boxing legend Evander Holyfield offered words of encouragement for Fury post-match. Acknowledging the effort Fury put forth, Holyfield expressed hope for his return, saying, "Tyson Fury, good job. I know you’re coming back. Take some time with your family." These remarks highlighted the respect between seasoned boxers and the challenges they face within the ring.
Another noteworthy aspect of the aftermath has been promoter Eddie Hearn’s comments, challenging the judges' scorecards. He suggested the fight resembled chess, pointing out the competitive nature of the bout. Hearn stated, "I thought the fight was more like chess. Usyk dominated most of the second half, but it was incredibly close boxing." Hearn believes the fight’s tight nature raises questions about the need for another clash between the two fighters.
While the judges unanimously awarded Usyk the victory, their scoring has been met with scrutiny. Hearn's feelings echoed many fans' sentiments as he argued, "I don't feel like Usyk won by eight rounds to four. This fight was very close.” His comments reflect the common sentiment among boxing aficionados about the inherent subjectivity of judging fights.
Adding another dimension to the match, former UFC champion Francis Ngannou commented on the integration of artificial intelligence for fight scoring, which suggested Usyk might have won by an even wider margin. Ngannou argued, "I don’t believe AI possesses all the necessary information and skills to judge boxing matches yet. It remains just an experiment.” This commentary also points to the evolution of technology within the sport, raising questions about future methodologies of scoring.
Following the fight, Usyk has been sidelined due to medical protocols common after heavyweight bouts. Reports indicate he will be unavailable for over three weeks, adhering to the standard recovery period after such intensive fights. This precautionary measure emphasizes the importance of fighters' health and well-being.
Despite the challenges, the boxing community is abuzz with speculation about Usyk's next opponent. Usyk seems open to discussing potential matchups, stating his thoughts on continuing the rivalry with Fury haven't been finalized yet. There’s mutual anticipation about whom he might face as both the boxer and his fans await news on future fights.
The ramifications of this bout extend beyond just the fighters involved. The aftermath of Usyk versus Fury 2 has spurred dialogue within the boxing world about fighter rankings, match results, and the future of heavyweight boxing. With several high-profile individuals voicing their opinions on both sides, the fight has certainly sparked valuable discussion.
Looking forward, the boxing world remains captivated by the results of this event. Will there be another rematch between Usyk and Fury? What will happen to the careers of these heavyweight contenders? Only time will tell, but fans are eager for updates. The respect and camaraderie displayed among legendary boxers like Holyfield and Bradley continue to remind everyone of the sport's deep history and competitive nature.
