Britain's Tyson Fury (red) and Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk (blue) compete during their heavyweight world championship rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on December 22, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
Ukrainian boxing sensation Oleksandr Usyk cemented his legacy as one of the sport’s greats with a unanimous decision victory over Britain’s Tyson Fury in their highly anticipated heavyweight championship rematch in Riyadh.
The judges scored the bout 116-112 in favor of Usyk, who maintained his undefeated record at 23-0, with 14 knockouts. The 37-year-old southpaw showcased his technical brilliance, repeatedly landing precise left hooks that kept Fury on the defensive.
This victory follows Usyk’s earlier triumph over Fury in May, where he became the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. Although only the WBA, WBO, and WBC belts were at stake in the rematch, Usyk’s performance reaffirmed his place among legends like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis.
“This was an unbelievable 24 rounds for my career,” Usyk said after the fight, praising Fury’s resilience and skills.
The defeat leaves Fury, 36, with a record of 34-2-1. While expressing frustration with the decision, the Briton, known as the “Gypsy King,” admitted there was little he could do to alter the outcome.
The fight captivated fans with its back-and-forth action, including punishing exchanges in the fifth and a dazzling 11th-round flurry by Usyk. The Ukrainian sealed the bout with a dominant final round, sinking to his knees in triumph as the bell rang.
Usyk, who briefly served in Ukraine’s defense forces during the Russian invasion, celebrated his victory by holding a symbolic sabre linked to Ukrainian nationalism.
Reports indicate the prize purse for the rematch reached a staggering $190 million, with Usyk claiming the lion’s share as the defending champion. The event also marked another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious foray into global sports, adding to its growing portfolio of high-profile events.
