Usyk defeats Fury to retain boxing heavyweight titles
Oleksandr Usyk Defeats Tyson Fury in Heavyweight Title Defense
In a highly anticipated rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk retained his undefeated record by securing a unanimous decision victory over Tyson Fury on Saturday night. Judges Gerardo Martinez, Patrick Morley, and Ignacio Robles all scored the fight in favor of Usyk, with identical scores of 116-112.
Usyk’s precision and accuracy were evident as he landed 179 out of 423 punches thrown, maintaining a 42% connect rate. In contrast, Fury managed to land only 144 of his 509 punches, translating to a 28% success rate.
When asked about his thoughts on the judges’ decision, Usyk humbly stated, “I win, it’s good. Not my deal. I win. Thank you, God.” The closing betting odds favored Usyk at -145, with Fury at +110.
The rematch lived up to its billing from the moment the fighters entered the ring. Usyk’s team had requested that Fury trim his beard, but Fury opted to keep it unshaven, sporting a festive red robe accompanied by Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Despite a strong start from Fury in the first two rounds, Usyk’s strategic body work and power combinations gradually turned the tide in his favor. Usyk’s speed and agility were on full display, with his left hand proving to be a significant asset in staggering Fury multiple times.
As the fight progressed, Fury’s extra weight began to take its toll, while Usyk’s composure and calculated approach continued to pay dividends. In the later rounds, Usyk’s ability to land quick combinations and evade Fury’s attacks solidified his lead.
The final rounds saw both fighters trading blows, with Fury attempting to sway the judges with aggressive flurries. However, Usyk’s precision and control ultimately secured the victory.
In a unique twist, an experimental AI judge also scored the fight in Usyk’s favor at 118-112. With this win, Fury’s record in rematches now stands at 5-1.
Despite the IBF stripping Usyk of one of his belts for not facing their mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois made a surprise appearance post-fight, demanding a rematch after their previous bout in 2023. Usyk graciously accepted the challenge, signaling his willingness to face Dubois once again.
