Oleksandr Usyk maintained his unbeaten record by successfully defending his undisputed heavyweight title in a unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The judges – Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley, and Ignacio Robles – all scored the fight the same, with Usyk winning 116-112.
Usyk landed 179 out of 423 punches thrown, with a 42 percent accuracy, while Fury managed to land just 144 out of 509 punches thrown, a 28 percent success rate.
When asked about his thoughts on the judges’ decision, Usyk simply stated, “I win, it’s good.” He expressed gratitude to God for his victory.
The rematch lived up to its hype from the moment the fighters entered the arena. Usyk’s team even requested that Fury trim his beard before the fight, but Fury entered unshaven, wearing a festive red robe.
After a strong start from Fury in the first two rounds, Usyk began to take control in the third and fourth rounds with body shots and power combinations. Usyk’s left hand proved to be a significant weapon in the fight, staggering Fury twice in the sixth round.
As the fight progressed, Fury began to feel the effects of carrying additional weight, while Usyk’s speed and precision continued to trouble him. Usyk’s ability to get inside, land quick combinations, and cause damage was the key to his victory.
In the final rounds, Fury made a valiant effort to turn the tide, but Usyk’s speed and skill prevailed. A virtual AI judge also scored the fight in Usyk’s favor, 118-112.
Despite his disappointment, Fury left the ring immediately after the decision was announced. He later expressed his belief that he had won the fight, but acknowledged the two losses on his record.
With only three belts on the line due to a sanction from the IBF, Usyk was confronted by Daniel Dubois, who demanded a rematch following their previous fight. Usyk expressed willingness to face Dubois again, acknowledging his request for revenge.
Overall, Usyk’s victory over Fury solidified his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion and set the stage for potential future rematches and challenges in the division.
