Oleksandr Usyk surpasses Tyson Fury again to retain the heavyweight title and end the rivalry
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Oleksandr Usyk surpasses Tyson Fury again to retain the heavyweight title and end the rivalry

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

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Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury on points on Saturday, completing the double over the Brit while also retaining the overall heavyweight title.

Usyk beat Fury on points in May to become the first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years. This result in Riyadh left the Ukrainian unbeaten, while Fury suffered his first defeat as a professional.

And on Saturday in the same Saudi city, Usyk repeated the result and beat Fury again to retain the unified title. It was clearer this time too, as Usyk won 116-112 on all three scorecards after winning by split decision in May.

While Usyk’s first victory secured him undisputed heavyweight status – having previously reigned as the undisputed king of the cruiserweight division – the southpaw vacated the IBF title in June. Therefore, only the WBC, WBO and WBA belts were up for grabs in Saturday’s rematch.

Due to another defeat against Usyk, the 36-year-old Fury failed to become a three-time world champion. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Usyk will leave Saudi Arabia with his perfect record.

The fight was well balanced as it reached its halfway point, with Fury occasionally using his size to overwhelm Usyk and at times landing the heavier punches.

But the Ukrainian’s cardio, agility, accuracy and shot selection also paid off. In fact, he tried to take advantage of the challenger’s size by regularly attacking the body of Fury, who visibly weakened in the later rounds.

Oleksandr Usyk (left) towered over Tyson Fury for the second time this year
Oleksandr Usyk (left) towered over Tyson Fury for the second time this year (Nick Potts/PA Wire)

In the ring after the fight, Usyk said: “I win, it’s good.” When asked how he seems to keep improving, even a month before his 38th birthday, he joked: “I don’t know, maybe I train and prepare well.”

“My wife helped me and my children,” he added, before dedicating the victory to his mother.

Of Fury, who didn’t stay in the ring for an interview, Usyk said: “Listen, he’s a great fighter, a great opponent. It’s a great 24 laps, an incredible 24 laps for my career.”

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Usyk also faced Daniel Dubois, whom he stopped in 2023 and who holds the IBF belt that Usyk vacated in June.

Dubois is scheduled to defend his title against Joseph Parker in February, but Usyk accepted the Brit’s demands for a rematch.

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