On Sunday, December 22, 2024, Oleksandr Usyk reaffirmed his dominance in the heavyweight division by defeating Tyson Fury again by unanimous decision in an intense rematch held in Saudi Arabia. With identical scores of 116-112 awarded by all three judges, Usyk not only retained his world titles but also cemented his legacy as one of the all-time greats of boxing.
The Ukrainian, known for his precision and technical ability, set the pace of the fight from the start. With strategic dominance and his trademark left hook, Usyk outboxed the Briton in key exchanges, taking him to a record of 23-0 with 14 knockouts.
“He’s a great fighter and this was a great performance,” Usyk said after the fight. At 37, the undisputed heavyweight champion continues to rack up achievements, including an undefeated run in the cruiserweight division and an Olympic gold medal.
Usyk was grateful to Fury, describing him as “a strong opponent” and adding that the 24 rounds shared between the two “have been incredible” for his career.
For his part, Tyson Fury, who until May this year remained undefeated in his first 35 fights, expressed his disagreement with the result. “It’s not fair to me. I feel like I won both fights, but now I have two losses on my record. There’s not much I can do about it,” said the Briton, visibly frustrated.
His promoter, Frank Warren, called the judges’ decision “crazy,” while Usyk humorously dismissed the complaints, calling Warren a “madman.”
The fight, which attracted the attention of millions of boxing fans, was a real battle. Fury, with his imposing 127.4kg physique, looked to impose his power in the opening rounds, landing combinations and using his jab to keep Usyk at bay. However, the Ukrainian responded with precision and mobility, punishing Fury with hard blows to the face and body.
The intensity of the duel reached its climax in the final rounds, where Usyk, true to his style, took control and punished Fury with a powerful hook in the eleventh round. The fight ended with a furious exchange in the twelfth round, making it clear to the judges who was the best in the ring.
While Usyk celebrated by raising a historic sword symbolising the Ukrainian national spirit, Fury avoided answering questions about his next steps in boxing. Having announced his retirement in 2022, this second consecutive defeat raises uncertainty about his future in the sport.
Usyk, for his part, continues to focus on his legacy and said he is willing to accept new challenges, although he left the door open to a possible trilogy against Fury.
The fight not only marked a pivotal chapter in boxing history, but also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s growing interest in hosting global sporting events. With an estimated prize pool of $190 million, this matchup was one of the most lucrative nights in the history of the sport.
Time will tell if Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will meet again in the ring, but what is certain is that this rivalry has left an indelible mark on world boxing.