In a highly anticipated rematch, Oleksandr Usyk once again defeated Tyson Fury via unanimous decision on Saturday night, December 21, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. The judges scored the bout 116-112 in favour of Usyk, marking the second consecutive victory for the Ukrainian heavyweight champion over the British “Gypsy King”.
The fight, billed as “Reignited,” saw Usyk improve his undefeated record to 23-0, while Fury’s professional record now stands at 34 wins, two losses, and one draw. Usyk retained his WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles, solidifying his status as one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
Despite Fury’s early dominance, leveraging his physical advantages of height, reach, and weight, Usyk’s relentless body attacks and superior work rate turned the tide as the fight progressed. By the sixth round, Usyk landed clean shots, including a powerful overhand left, while Fury began to slow. Usyk’s composure and precision peaked in the championship rounds, with a stunning combination in the 11th round briefly staggering Fury.
Post-fight, Usyk paid respect to his opponent, saying, “He is a great fighter, a great opponent. An unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much.” Fury, visibly frustrated, exited the ring without comment.
More Fury From Fury After Fury’s Defeat
But Fury was to later reject the scorecard, insisting he won the match, during the post-match press interview.
“I thought I’ve won both fights, but then again, I’ve got two losses on my record now, so there’s not much I can do about it,” said the Briton, sporting a bruised right eye as he appeared before the media.
“I can just fight me heart out and do the best I can. But I’ll always believe until the day I die that I won that fight.”
Zelenskyy Hails Usyk
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed Oleksandr Usyk’s victory over Tyson Fury, calling it proof that Ukraine “will not give up what’s ours“.
“Victory!” Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. “So important and so necessary for all of us now.“
Ukraine remains locked in a war nearly three years after Russia invaded, but Zelenskyy said Usyk’s triumph was a mark of Ukrainian resiliency and determination.
“Having retained the championship belts, Oleksandr proves that we are Ukrainians, and we will not give up what’s ours. And no matter how difficult it is — we will win.
“Be it the ring, battlefield or diplomatic arena — we fight and we will not give up what’s ours.”
Winner and Loser “Lose”
The victory was not without its consequences, as the UAE Boxing Commission suspended both fighters. Usyk was suspended until June 2 due to injuries requiring four stitches, while Fury received a one-week ban.
Anyways, these suspensions are standard procedure to ensure the fighters have adequate time to recover and heal properly before returning to the ring.
Looking ahead, the boxing world is already buzzing with speculation about a potential trilogy fight, although no agreement is currently in place. IBF world champion Daniel Dubois entered the ring after the match to call for a shot at Usyk, hinting at another high-stakes showdown in the future.
As the boxing community continues to debate the outcome and future matchups, one thing is clear: Oleksandr Usyk has firmly established himself as the dominant force in heavyweight boxing.
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