Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury in Heavyweight Rematch
Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury in Heavyweight Rematch to Remain Unbeaten.
Oleksandr Usyk secured a unanimous decision victory against Tyson Fury in their heavyweight championship rematch on Saturday night, maintaining his undefeated record across two weight divisions and solidifying his legacy among boxing’s elite.
The Ukrainian fighter controlled the tempo of the fight, landing precise left hooks that consistently troubled Fury. All three judges scored the bout 116-112 in Usyk’s favor, marking Fury’s second consecutive defeat.
This win improved Usyk’s career record to 23-0, with 14 knockouts, further enhancing an illustrious career that includes an Olympic gold medal and an undisputed cruiserweight title.
“He’s a great fighter; it’s a great performance,” said Usyk, 37, reflecting on Fury’s effort. Fury, who was undefeated in 35 fights before losing their initial unification bout in May, now faces an uncertain future.
Only the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts were on the line for this rematch after Usyk relinquished his IBF title to prioritize the lucrative fight. With his earlier victory over Fury, Usyk joined the ranks of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson as a heavyweight icon and became the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
A Grueling Battle
The 6-foot-9 Fury made a strong start, using his jab to keep Usyk at bay and landing a powerful right hand in the second round. However, Usyk’s speed and precision began to shine by the third round, as he connected with a clean left hand.
The fifth round saw the two fighters trade heavy blows, with Fury delivering punishing body shots while Usyk responded with rapid-fire punches to the head. By the sixth round, Usyk had Fury reeling after landing a clean shot to the nose.
Known for his stamina, Usyk took control in the later rounds, tagging Fury with a decisive hook in the seventh. Fury fought back in the ninth, leveraging his career-heaviest weight of 281 pounds to lean on Usyk and land combinations.
However, Usyk’s dominance was evident in the 11th round, where a lightning-fast combination, capped by a left hook, left Fury visibly shaken. The final round was equally intense, with Usyk landing an uppercut that sealed his victory.
As the decision was announced, Usyk fell to his knees in triumph, later celebrating with a sabre tied to Ukrainian national hero Ivan Mazepa, symbolizing resistance against Russian domination.
Post-Fight Reactions
Fury, now 34-2-1, expressed disappointment in the result. “I thought I won both fights, but the record shows two losses. There’s not much I can do about it,” said Fury, sporting a bruised eye.
Despite the setback, Fury had made a dramatic entrance in a Santa-inspired outfit, contrasting with Usyk’s traditional Cossack attire.
A Landmark Fight
Reports suggest the prize purse for the fight reached $190 million, with Usyk earning the larger share as the defending champion. Hosted in Saudi Arabia, the bout is part of the nation’s high-profile investments in sports, including Formula One, LIV Golf, and the upcoming 2034 FIFA World Cup.
For Usyk, the victory cements his position as one of boxing’s all-time greats, while Fury’s future in the sport remains uncertain after this career-defining defeat.
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