7 hours Ago By Damon Martin
Oleksandr Usyk didn’t get a knockout but he left no doubt about his dominance after delivering a decisive win in his rematch against Tyson Fury on Saturday. While there were more than a few close rounds once again, Usyk’s ability to get inside and damage Fury with blistering combinations really made the difference. Usyk continuously found a home for his left hand and Fury just didn’t have an answer for a superior pace across 12 rounds.
When it was over, all three judges scored the fight 116-112 with Usyk getting the unanimous decision victory to retain all of his heavyweight titles. “I win. I’m not the judges,” Usyk said in his reaction to the scorecards.
“It’s not my deal. I win, thank you god.” A dejected Fury left the ring as soon as the scorecards were announced but Usyk still gave him credit for another incredibly tough fight as he cemented himself as the top heavyweight in boxing.
“It’s a great fighter,” Usyk said about Fury. “It’s a great opponent. It’s a great 24 rounds.
Unbelievable 24 rounds for my career.” It was actually a fast start from Fury to open the fight as he immediately looked to establish his left jab followed by a big right hand behind it. In response, Usyk showcased his fast footwork while dancing inside as he started digging to Fury’s body with repetitive shots.
Fury was consistently trying to keep Usyk at a distance but the Ukrainian was doing a good job working his way moving forward while continuing to set up his powerful left hand. In a brief moment when Fury switched stances, Usyk looked to make him pay with a huge overhand punch and that’s all it took for “The Gypsy King” to return to orthodox. As the fight moved into the fourth round, Usyk uncorked a huge left hand that popped Fury in the mush and put him on the backfoot.
Usyk followed up with another big punch as the crowd in Riyadh came to live following the massive exchange. That forced Fury to get more aggressive as he started charging forward, launching powerful punches from the outside but Usyk displayed good defense. Fury finally connected with a nasty uppercut as Usyk was attacking and that definitely got the champion’s attention.
Fury continued putting together good combinations while bullying Usyk around the ring with his size and power. That forced Usyk to get busier and he really started coming after Fury with a blistering succession of punches that were starting to really find a home. A big overhand left sent Fury’s eyes in the back of his head momentarily as Usyk’s confidence soared.
The leaping left hand from Usyk continued to pay dividends while Fury’s movement was becoming more labored, perhaps a result of coming in at over 280 pounds for the rematch. When Fury got busier, he was still able to connect with his jab but he was constantly answered by three or four punches in a row from Usyk. Realizing that Usyk was starting to build a lead, Fury upped his pressure while launching huge shots to the body and then going back up top to the head.
Fury was getting the better of the exchanges in the ninth round, which is when Usyk nearly put him away in their first fight. This time, Fury was doing a good job turning the tables late in the fight but Usyk came right back at him just before the bell sounded. Usyk realized he was losing momentum so he got back on his horse chasing Fury and throwing with higher volume.
Usyk’s ability to take away Fury’s reach and then putting his punches in the face were landing with staggering accuracy. The left hand snapped off from Usyk as he cracked Fury repeatedly with the bigger man leaning on the ropes several times. It seemed like any time Fury tried to mount some offense, Usyk would meet the challenge and then up his own intensity with a furious barrage of punches.
Usyk’s speed, accuracy and volume were just too much for Fury round after round and that’s ultimately what made the difference in the decision. “I don’t know, maybe I am training. I’m prepared,” Usyk said about his ability to push the pace for all 12 rounds.
“My wife helps me. Today for me, it’s a very happy day because my sons won competition too in judo. They take judo belts, orange and green.
My son said ‘hey Papa, you’re next.” Usyk’s son made the right call as the undefeated heavyweight champion kept his perfect record intact while vanquishing Fury for a second consecutive time. Afterwards, Daniel Dubois asked for a rematch of his own after falling to Usyk in their previous encounter and the Ukrainian didn’t blink at the request.
“Yeah, no problem,” Usyk said about the Dubois fight. “I am ready. Next fight, no problem.
” As for Fury, it’s difficult to predict where he goes next after suffering back-to-back losses and the first two defeats of his legendary career. Perhaps now is the time for Fury to finally face off with Anthony Joshua in an all-England affair but he clearly didn’t seem happy after falling to Usyk on Saturday..
