Usyk’s Dominance Over Fury: A Boxing Masterclass in Riyadh
In the heart of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the boxing world witnessed a spectacle that will be talked about for years to come. Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury, two titans of the ring, clashed once more, and the outcome was as definitive as it was thrilling. With 24 rounds now shared between them, Usyk emerged victorious yet again, leaving no room for a third bout. The heavyweight champion celebrated his triumph with a gesture of respect, leaning over to kiss his rival on the head. This act of sportsmanship was a fitting end to a grueling series of fights that tested the mettle of both fighters.
The stakes were sky-high. Fury was on a quest to reclaim his titles and become a three-time champion, while Usyk was determined to solidify his status as the best in the world. In the end, it was Usyk who pulled away, showcasing his superior skills and strategy. Their first meeting in May, which many considered the front-runner for ESPN’s Fight of the Year, had already established Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) as the world’s best heavyweight and the No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer in the ESPN rankings. The rematch only reinforced these accolades, cementing Usyk’s legacy as the greatest heavyweight since Lennox Lewis retired in 2004.
Usyk’s journey to this point is nothing short of remarkable. He first made waves in 2008 when he won gold at the amateur European Championships as a light heavyweight. At the time, his fellow Ukrainian, Wladimir Klitschko, was the reigning heavyweight champion in the professional ranks. Fast forward four years, and Usyk captured gold at the Olympic Games in London as a heavyweight, while Anthony Joshua took home the gold in the super heavyweight category. As a professional, Usyk cleaned out the cruiserweight division, becoming the undisputed champion before moving up to heavyweight, where he defeated Joshua twice to become the unified champion.
Their first encounter in May saw Usyk narrowly defeat Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) via split decision, earning him the undisputed championship at heavyweight. In that bout, Usyk came close to stopping Fury in Round 9, landing 14 unanswered punches and sending Fury to the canvas for the eighth time in his career. Seven months later, the rematch lacked a seminal moment where either fighter was in serious trouble, but Usyk’s victory was never in doubt. He won via unanimous decision with scores of 116-112 across the board.
Usyk’s respect for Fury was evident in his post-fight comments to ESPN. “I very respect this guy because I think he’s very tough,” Usyk said. “Tyson Fury makes me strong. Tyson is a great opponent. Big man. He’s a good man. Tyson, a lot of talk but it’s just show.”
Fury, however, was adamant that he deserved the win. When asked if he felt Usyk’s spirit in the bout, Fury quipped, “Yeah, Christmas spirit, he received a Christmas gift.” Despite his confidence, Fury acknowledged the challenge he faced, stating, “When you don’t get the knockout, this is what can happen. … I did the best I could. If I could have done more, I would have done it, and that’s it.”
Usyk’s performance left no doubt about who was the better fighter, even if many rounds were closely contested. A third bout isn’t necessary. Over 24 rounds, Usyk proved he was the superior fighter, overcoming a 50-plus-pound disadvantage and nearly six inches in height.
Looking ahead, Usyk’s career is far from over. There are still tens of millions to be made, and his star continues to rise, bringing pride to his war-torn homeland of Ukraine. Daniel Dubois, whom Usyk knocked out in nine rounds in August 2023 in Poland, interrupted Usyk’s post-fight interview to demand a rematch. “I want my revenge,” Dubois declared, having picked up the IBF title Usyk was stripped of in June with a fifth-round KO of Joshua in September.
- Usyk is ready for a rematch with Dubois, but it won’t match the marquee status of his bouts with Fury.
- Dubois has been on an impressive run with three consecutive wins inside the distance.
- Dubois faces a tough test against former titleholder Joseph Parker on Feb. 22 in Riyadh.
With Joshua and Fury out of the way, there’s no megafight on the horizon for Usyk. Meanwhile, Fury could face Joshua in a highly anticipated bout in the U.K., despite being in the “loser’s bracket.” Regardless of what the future holds, Fury will always be remembered as an all-time great, but he’ll always rank behind Usyk.
Originally Written by: Mike Coppinger
