The Ukranian took another decision on the scorecards after a typically strong finish to a fight which lacked the ebb and flow of the first edition, but was nevertheless engrossing. At the postfight news conference, Usyk was presented two flags signed by the Ukrainian military fighting off Russian forces at the border. The fight was originally scheduled for Feb. 17 but was postponed when Fury suffered a cut in sparring that required 11 stitches over his right eye two weeks out. Against Usyk, Fury suffered another cut, but this time over his left eye.
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Deontay Wilder isn’t the most technically sound heavyweight ever. That said, he has the equalizer to end any fight, his dynamite power. Wilder has never been in a boring fight and his comeback to the win column could see some entertaining future fights in store.
Tyson Fury still retired, but still ‘very bitter’ at decision in Oleksandr Usyk rematch
But Fury picked up his attack from the third round, working his size advantage and his typically unpredictable movement to throw right hands behind his sharp jab. Fury appeared to hurt Usyk with body shots right at the belt, and he rocked Usyk twice in the sixth with vicious uppercuts. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Oleksandr Usyk has been shorter, lighter and older than all of his opponents since he moved up to the heavyweight division.
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The list of undisputed champions includes Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson. He won WBC World Heavyweight belt against Tyson Fury, beating him by split decision after 12 rounds on May 18, 2024. He has held this belt for a total of 409 days (1 year, 1 month and 14 days) and has defended the belt 1 time. After losing his WBC title in last year’s undisputed championship clash with Oleksandr Usyk, Fury was also defeated in their December rematch by unanimous decision. Oxnard, California – In a surprising development ahead of his blockbuster rematch against Daniel Dubois, Oleksandr Usyk appears to have split from his longtime promoter Alex Krassyuk.
At the postfight news conference Sunday, as he broke down in tears on the dais, Usyk said, “I know he is here with me.” As the fight against Fury came to a close, Usyk remembered his late father, who died just days after Usyk claimed gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. “Usyk is fighting because of them, because they give him this possibility.” Fury entered the ring as ESPN’s No. 10 pound-for-pound boxer and No. 1 heavyweight. Usyk was ranked No. 2 at heavyweight and No. 3 pound-for-pound.
- Usyk hurt the 6-foot-9 Fury (34-1-1) with a left hand and eventually sent him sprawling into a corner in the final seconds of the round, getting credit for a knockdown right before Fury was saved by the bell.
- Usyk’s last 5 fights have come over a period of 4 years, 1 month and 20 days, which means he has been fighting approximately every 9 months and 29 days.
- Usyk is also a former cruiserweight undisputed champion and 2012 Olympics gold medalist.
- Usyk turned over as a professional with Krassyuk’s K2 Promotions in 2013 after winning gold at the London Olympics.
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Usyk is 6 inches shorter than the 6-foot-9 Fury, and he weighed in 30 pounds lighter than the hulking British star this week. The size difference didn’t matter to Usyk, who has used his athleticism and skill to counter every challenge he has faced since moving up from cruiserweight to heavyweight in 2019. “My grandfather was 6 foot 3 too. Boxers in the heavyweight division now are 6 foot five to 6 foot nine now. So for him to be doing it at a height disadvantage, I would definitely consider him a legend.” Usyk then punished Fury in the ninth, hitting him with another concussive left before battering the British star around the ring. Fury sagged into a corner while barely staying on his feet with about 10 seconds left in the round.
Usyk turned over as a professional with Krassyuk’s K2 Promotions in 2013 after winning gold at the London Olympics. The Ukrainian defeated Tyson Fury to become a two-weight undisputed ruler and the new pound-for-pound king of the sport in 2024. With other victories over the likes of Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois and Derek Chisora, the 38-year-old Ukrainian has beaten all-comers at heavyweight since he made his divisional debut back in 2020. Sign up, follow him and get alerts when new fights are announced.
- He objected vociferously after the bout and even though he retired at the start of this year, Fury is still not at peace with the decision.
- “These things are happening for a reason and I’m just going to be ready to take the titles away from him. But all these things are happening for a reason.”
- Earlier, 41-year-old former light heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev returned to the ring for only the second time since 2019 with a decision loss to Sweden’s Robin Sirwan Safar.
His last mandatory challenger for the WBO belt was Daniel Dubois, who he defeated by knockout in the 9th round, on August 26, 2023. The 37-year-old Usyk is the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis held the honor for five months in 1999 and 2000. He is also now the lineal heavyweight champion by beating Fury, who beat Wladimir Klitschko to earn that distinction in 2015. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Oleksandr Usyk defeated Tyson Fury by split decision on Sunday to become the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in 24 years.
Usyk vs Fury 2: Oleksandr Usyk wins decision in closely-fought battle with Tyson Fury
“If the money’s up, then it happens. Back then it was okay now we’re fighting. I think the biggest difference really is a mindset thing.” Boxing was of course a very different sport in Muhammad Ali’s time. He’s beaten Anthony Joshua twice, as well as those two Fury wins and has previously defeated Dubois.
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These guys wouldn’t give me an opportunity to save their lives because they were stuck on not losing. I just wanted to be undisputed, but many people did not have me on their oleksandr usyk vs daniel dubois agenda because of how dangerous I am. That’s why I am still here pursuing myself and going on to do even greater things. Deontay Wilder will be out to prove a point on Friday when he takes on Tyrrell Anthony Herndon on June 27. The former heavyweight champion is arguably the scariest knockout artist in boxing history. Usyk inflicted the damage in a career-best performance following a ninth-round KO of Daniel Dubois in August in Poland.
“I see him as a top guy, he’s one of the best ranked in the world but now I think it’s my time. You know I’m the young lion here, I’ve got to prove I’m a real force, a new force in the division and I’m going to take over. Usyk, now 38, has fought most of his recent battles on foreign soil and under high-pressure conditions. He’s become a global road warrior, comfortable with logistical uncertainty—but his tight-knit team has remained largely unchanged for years. If Krassyuk’s departure is permanent, it would be the most significant personnel shift in Usyk’s camp since his early days. While Krassyuk didn’t explicitly say the relationship was over, the tone and language strongly imply that the professional partnership has come to an end.
“I believe I won the fight, but I’m not going to sit here and cry and make excuses,” said Fury, who owned a 39-pound and 6-inch advantage over Usyk. Usyk upset Anthony Joshua to win three title belts in 2021, and he kept them through two defenses while angling for the ultimate payday of a fight against Fury in Saudi Arabia. Usyk’s last 5 fights have come over a period of 4 years, 1 month and 20 days, which means he has been fighting approximately every 9 months and 29 days.