In a highly anticipated rematch, Oleksandr Usyk successfully defended his unified heavyweight titles, defeating Tyson Fury in a thrilling encounter.
The fight, which took place at a packed arena at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, culminated years of buildup between the two elite champions, each seeking to prove their dominance in the division.
Usyk, the Ukrainian powerhouse, entered the ring as the WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight champion, while Fury, the WBC titleholder, sought to unify the division.
The first fight had ended in a controversial split decision, leaving the world eager for a decisive conclusion, which they finally got in the end of December 2024.
From the onset, Usyk’s skills were on full display as he consistently outboxed Fury, using his superior agility and ring IQ to avoid Fury’s power punches and land sharp counters.
Usyk vs. Fury 2 was another CLASSIC! 🔥#Usyk2Fury | #RiyadhSeason | @Turki_alalshikh pic.twitter.com/kfWSLHGS4k
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) December 22, 2024
Despite Fury’s considerable size and strength advantage, Usyk’s precision and movement were the defining factors of the bout.
Usyk comes back to win the fight
In the later rounds, Usyk’s stamina and discipline began to take its toll on Fury, who struggled to adjust to his opponent’s relentless pace. A few key moments, including a beautifully timed uppercut, sealed the victory for Usyk, who won by unanimous decision after 12 rounds.
The Ukranian’s performance cemented his status as the premier heavyweight in the world, retaining his titles and making a compelling case for the sport’s next superstar.
With this 116-112 victory in all cards, Usyk proved once again that speed and skill overcome brute force, solidifying his legacy in boxing history.
USYK DEFEATS FURY BY UNANIMOUS DECISION!! #UsykFury2 #Boxingpic.twitter.com/rNfGVV40jY
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 21, 2024
Fury complains of unfair decision
During their post match interviews, Fury lamented about the loss, accusing the judges of giving Usyk an early Christmass gift.
The Englishman felt he deserved to win and blamed the judges for not scoring him in the later rounds.
Usyk chose to praise his staff for helping him win, appreciating them for the outstanding preparation that ultimately led to his victory.
