Oleksandr Usyk reaffirmed his dominance in heavyweight boxing with a unanimous points victory over Tyson Fury on Sunday, December 22, in a gripping rematch at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena, Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian retained his WBA (Super), WBC, and WBO titles, solidifying his legacy as a generational boxing great.
Seven months after handing Fury his first career defeat by split decision, Usyk once again showcased his tactical brilliance and unyielding spirit. In a tightly contested bout, the judges unanimously scored the fight 116-112 in favor of the 37-year-old champion, extending his undefeated record to 23 professional wins.
The clash, billed as “Reignited,” brought together the sport’s most technically skilled heavyweights in a contest that lived up to its billing. Fury, 36, leveraged his physical advantages—a six-inch height, eight-inch reach, and four-stone weight edge—to dictate the early rounds. He managed to wobble Usyk in the second round and showed flashes of his trademark flair.
However, Usyk’s relentless body attacks and superior work rate turned the tide as the fight progressed. By the sixth round, he was landing clean shots, including a powerful overhand left, while Fury began to slow. Usyk’s composure and precision peaked in the championship rounds, with a stunning combination in the 11th briefly staggering Fury.
Fury, who entered the ring dressed as Father Christmas to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” struggled to regain control in the final moments. Despite a late push, the judges unanimously sided with Usyk, leaving Fury visibly frustrated as he exited the ring without comment.
Speaking after his victory, Usyk paid respect to his opponent, saying, “He [Tyson Fury] is a great fighter, a great opponent. An unbelievable 24 rounds for my career. Thank you so much.”
The defeat marked the second blemish on Fury’s record, which now stands at 34 wins, two losses, and one draw. The Gypsy King’s performance showed improvement compared to their first encounter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Usyk’s precision and strategy.
With the victory, Usyk solidifies his place as the best heavyweight boxer of his generation, while Fury takes a close second. Meanwhile, IBF world champion Daniel Dubois entered the ring after the match to call for a shot at Usyk, hinting at another high-stakes showdown in the future.
