Oleksandr Usyk made headlines once again as he retained his undisputed heavyweight title against Tyson Fury with a decisive unanimous decision on Saturday night in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The clash, dubbed as one of the most anticipated rematches of the year, lived up to the expectations as Usyk continued his reign, leaving Fury visibly disappointed by the judges' verdict.
The three judges—Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley, and Ignacio Robles—unanimously scored the bout 116-112, with Usyk landing 179 out of 423 punches, translating to an impressive success rate of 42 percent. Fury, on the other hand, hit 144 out of 509 of his thrown punches, marking just 28 percent accuracy. Although Fury came out of the gate strong and controlled the pace initially, it was Usyk's tenacity and strategic strikes throughout the fight which turned the tide.
“I win, it’s good,” Usyk said succinctly after the match, almost dismissing the judges’ scorecard discrepancies, highlighting his focus solely on boxing. The victorious Ukrainian boxer improved his professional record to 23-0, displaying his remarkable skill and resilience inside the ring.
The rematch came after Fury's first professional defeat earlier this year, when Usyk previously won their encounter. Anticipation had built up significantly as both fighters engaged in intense promotional activities leading up to the fight. The spectacle was unique, with Fury’s bizarre entry attire—a bright red Christmas-themed robe—paired with Mariah Carey’s all-time festive classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” playing as he made his way to the ring.
After a strong start from Fury, who quickly established control over the first two rounds, Usyk adapted with calculated attempts to exploit the space. By the third and fourth rounds, the Ukrainian fighter began effective combinations, working the body and testing Fury’s defenses. By the sixth round, Usyk landed significant blows, startling the lumbering Brit as Fury struggled under the mounting pressure.
Fury attempted to rally back with aggressive punches, especially during the tenth round. Wearing down from the accumulated pressure, he ended up on the backfoot as Usyk's speed and agility took over. Usyk's ability to combine power and precision allowed him to find multiple openings, to keep Fury on his toes, and it became increasingly apparent during intense exchanges late in the fight.
Witnesses saw Usyk maintain his energy and endurance, frequently bouncing on his feet as the final round approached—the epitome of unyielding determination against Fury, who began to show signs of fatigue. The judges unanimously agreed upon Usyk's tactics, leading him to victory and leaving Fury unsatisfied with the outcome.
Frustrated with the scorecards, Fury vented his discontent immediately after the fight. “I thought I won it by at least three rounds. I bossed the fight,” he said, highlighting his disappointment. Fury, now sitting at 34-2-1 with 24 KOs, couldn’t shake off the feeling of unjust treatment, bedding himself with his own narrative of victory against Usyk's successful campaign.
This fight was particularly significant as only three belts—the WBO, WBA, and WBC—were at stake, following the IBF’s decision to strip Usyk for not facing its mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois, earlier. An interruption came swiftly as Dubois, the current IBF champion, stormed the ring post-fight and demanded his chance at revenge against Usyk after suffering defeat earlier this year.
“I want my revenge, Usyk,” Dubois emphatically declared, prompting Usyk to signal his readiness for yet another showdown. “Your Excellency, make me fight with Daniel,” Usyk responded, eager to take on the challenge of reclaiming all four heavyweights' prestigious titles.
With the latest victory still fresh, Usyk’s prospects seem bright as he stands poised for another showdown—this time perhaps against Dubois, potentially regaining the fourth title he lost earlier. Supporters are left wondering exactly what’s next for these heavyweight titans. Will Usyk's reign continue, or can Fury reclaim his former glory? Only time will tell, but the world of boxing eagerly awaits what’s next after this riveting clash on the grand stage of Saudi Arabia.
