Oleksandr Usyk claimed victory in his highly anticipated heavyweight championship rematch against Tyson Fury, winning by unanimous decision on Saturday night to remain unbeaten across two divisions and solidify his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats.
The Ukrainian boxer dominated the contest, maintaining a relentless pace and consistently landing his signature left hook to control the action. Usyk was awarded the fight 116-112 by all three judges, handing Fury his second consecutive defeat.
With the win, Usyk improves to an undefeated 23-0, with 14 knockouts, adding another chapter to an already legendary career that includes Olympic gold and an undisputed cruiserweight title.
“He’s a great fighter, and it’s a great performance,” said Usyk, 37, of the 36-year-old Fury, who had gone unbeaten through 35 fights before losing their four-belt unification bout in May. “Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career.”
Only the WBA, WBO, and WBC titles were on the line this time, after Usyk relinquished his IBF title to avoid facing mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois in pursuit of the more lucrative rematch with Fury.
By defeating Fury in May, Usyk became the undisputed heavyweight champion, joining boxing legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, and Mike Tyson, and making history as the first to hold all four major heavyweight belts.
“He’s my best friend,” Usyk said of Fury, showing respect for the “Gypsy King.” “I respect this guy because he’s a really tough opponent. Tyson Fury makes me strong.”
Fury’s uncertain future
Fury, now 34-2-1, faces an uncertain future following the defeat. The Briton, who announced his retirement in 2022 before returning to the ring, refused to comment on his next steps after the loss.
“I thought I won both fights, but then again, I’ve got two losses on my record now, so there’s not much I can do about it,” Fury said.
Promoter Frank Warren called the judges’ decision “nuts,” but Usyk dismissed his complaints with characteristic humor. “Uncle Frank, I think he’s blind… crazy man,” the Ukrainian joked.
A thrilling battle
The fight began with Fury using his 6ft 9in frame to control distance, keeping Usyk at bay with his jab and landing a heavy right hand in the second round. But Usyk gradually took control, landing clean left hooks and upping the tempo in the third.
The fifth round was a brutal exchange, with Fury landing punishing body shots and Usyk firing back with a barrage to the head. By the seventh, Usyk was clearly the aggressor, and he stunned Fury in the 11th with a lightning combination capped off by another devastating left hook.
The final round saw Usyk’s uppercut land flush on Fury’s chin, cementing the win as the Ukrainian exploded in celebration, dropping to his knees with arms raised in victory.
A symbol of resistance
In a poignant moment, Usyk celebrated by holding up a sabre that once belonged to Ivan Mazepa, a hero of Ukrainian nationalism who fought against Russian control in the early 1700s. The gesture symbolized not just victory in the ring, but a personal and national triumph amid ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly hailed Usyk’s victory, calling it “so important and so necessary for all of us now,” a testament to Ukraine’s resolve in the face of war with Russia.
Lucrative prize and Saudi investment
The prize purse for the fight reportedly reached $190 million, with Usyk, as the defending champion, set to receive the larger share—flipping the financial dynamic from their May bout.
The event was a part of Saudi Arabia’s larger push into global sports, which has included high-profile investments in Formula One, LIV Golf, Newcastle United, and various football legends. The country’s sports strategy reached a significant milestone this month with the announcement of Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, despite ongoing criticisms over its human rights record.
