In a thrilling rematch that put to rest any lingering doubts, Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by unanimous decision to retain his unified heavyweight titles. The fight, which took place on Saturday, saw all three judges scoring the bout 116-112 in favor of Usyk, marking his impressive record at 23-0 and handing Fury only his second loss in his career.
Acknowledging Fury’s skill, Usyk expressed his respect for his opponent, saying, “Listen (he’s) a great fighter,” while reflecting on the hard-fought 24 rounds they’ve shared in their two encounters.
The rematch unfolded as another strategic 12-round battle, showcasing high-level boxing. In the early rounds, Fury utilized his height and reach advantage, effectively using a long jab to keep Usyk at bay. However, as the match progressed, Usyk found his rhythm and began to impose his style, consistently landing powerful shots to Fury’s body and managing to evade many of Fury’s counterattacks. By the end of the fight, Usyk had outlanded Fury significantly, achieving a total of 179 punches landed to Fury’s 144.
After the fight, Daniel Dubois, the current IBF heavyweight champion, stepped into the ring and challenged Usyk for a rematch. Dubois is keen on avenging his prior loss to Usyk, and having recently secured a knockout win against Anthony Joshua, he has proven to be a formidable contender. Usyk welcomed the idea of this potential rematch, showcasing his eagerness to take on top challengers in the heavyweight division.
On the undercard, the night featured several notable performances. 19-year-old Moses Itauma stunned the audience with a first-round TKO victory over Dempsey McKean, while Serhii Bohachuk and Johnny Fisher also secured wins, setting up an exciting atmosphere for boxing fans.
This rematch not only solidifies Usyk’s position at the top of the heavyweight division but also ignites anticipated future matchups, highlighting the ongoing excitement within the sport. The prospect of Usyk expanding his legacy further, coupled with Dubois’ challenge and other rising boxers making waves, keeps the heavyweight boxing world buzzing with potential and hope for thrilling contests ahead.
In the world of boxing, every match is a step toward greatness, and fans can look forward to more epic clashes and incredible talent fighting for supremacy in the ring.