Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury to retain his unified heavyweight world titles and prove his status as a generational great with another close points win in their rematch in Saudi Arabia.
Having inflicted a first career defeat on Briton Fury by split decision seven months ago, Usyk’s astuteness and will to win once again prevailed at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena- and he retained his WBA (Super), WBC and WBO titles.
Fury, 36, found success in the first half of the fight.
Some of the more eye-catching shots came from the Morecambe fighter, but the volume of punches and cleaner work were from Ukrainian Usyk.
All three judges scored it 116-112 to the 37-year-old champion.
Oleksandr Usyk, an Olympic gold medallist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion, extended his undefeated record to 23 pro wins
Usyk, an Olympic gold medallist and former undisputed cruiserweight champion, extended his undefeated record to 23 pro wins.
“He [Tyson Fury] is a great fighter, he is a great opponent. An unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much,” Usyk said.
Two-time world champion Fury has only ever lost to Usyk, his two defeats the major blemishes on a record consisting of 34 wins and one draw.
Fury left the ring without conducting an interview, before IBF world champion Daniel Dubois climbed in and called for a rematch with Usyk.
Superstar Usyk edges a showcase of elite level boxing
In a rematch billed as ‘reignited’, the sport’s two most technically gifted heavyweights served up another classic and showcased elite level boxing.
The Gypsy King was in playful mood with an unorthodox ring entrance to Mariah Carey’s ‘All I want for Christmas is You’.
Dressed as Father Christmas, he was still sporting the bushy beard which was cleared at a rules meeting despite protests from Usyk’s team.
A stern-faced Usyk marched to the ring in super-quick time. Wearing a warrior-like robe, he crouched in the corner to recite a prayer.
After a lengthy 11 minute face-off on Thursday, Fury and Usyk picked up where they left off; their eyes fixated on each other as met in the centre of the ring.
Neither man over-committed in a cagey opening round. Fury showboated his way through the first fight but there was more seriousness to his work. He wobbled Usyk in the closing seconds of the second.
With a six inch height, eight inch reach and four stone weight advantage, Fury used his physicality to keep Usyk at range.
But just as he did in the first fight, Usyk found success targeting Fury’s body.
Two bruising left hooks landed flush on Fury in the fourth. ‘Keep it basic. he running around. Slow it down.’ Trainer SuharHill Steward told Fury after the fifth.
At the halfway stage, the eye-catching shot had come from Fury, the volume of punches from Usyk who began to close the gap.
An overhand left connected cleanly Fury’s forehead in the sixth. Fury was slowing down and Usyk heading into his groove.
Team Fury suggested a lack of sparring due to an eye injury hampered his preparation for the first fight, and there was a definite improvement. He found a second wind to edge the ninth.
It felt like it was all to play for in the championship rounds. Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actor husband Jason Statham watched from plush ringside seats, alongside a stellar list of boxing royalty including Roberto Duran, Lennox Lewis and Prince Naseem Hamed.
Usyk unleashed a sublime combination in the 11th. With Fury momentarily hurt, the champion applied the pressure.
Fury looked the more desperate of the pair as Usyk finished the fight on top. Though Fury cut a frustrated figure, there were no cries of robbery from ringside observers. (BBC)
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